Compassion on the Jericho Road

The Good Samaritan supports a wounded traveler along a rocky desert road, carrying the injured man’s weight with steady mercy. The barren ravine and scattered stones evoke the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho, where Jesus placed His parable of neighborly love. The hurt man, stripped and weakened, leans against the Samaritan as he is led away from the place of violence toward care and refuge.

Drawn from Luke 10:25-37, the scene visualizes Jesus’ answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” The Samaritan is not shown offering distant pity, but costly compassion: he comes near, bears the burden, and acts where others passed by. This artwork serves themes of mercy ministry, Christian service, outreach, compassion, racial reconciliation, and the call to “go, and do likewise.” by Erik Stenbakken