"Pretty sure he used the parable of the “Good Samaritan” to teach that very lesson."
You are right, and as you know he also said quite straightforwardly (on other occasions not in parable form) to show love for God and for others.
"Really, by that logic, insisting that the Bible be viewed as set-in-stone literal with no room for anything else does a disservice to it and everyone who contributed to its existence."
By the same token, anyone that insists the Bible be viewed as completely allegorical with no room for anything else also does it and everyone who contributed to its existence a disservice.
@Vidiot, I know you are wise enough to know that Jesus did not mean every word he spoke as a parable. What are you afraid of as regards the things that are literal in the Bible? A true scientist/logician/wise person goes where the evidence leads, even if it is not what is popular. So what if men can live hundreds of years? What do you have to lose by acknowledging the truth? A better question would be, what do you have to gain?
Here is something Jesus said that is not a parable...
John 4:22-26
"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, because salvation begins with the Jews. Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.”
"The woman said to him: “I know that Mes·siʹah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one comes, he will declare all things to us openly.”
"Jesus said to her: “I am he, the one speaking to you.""
(When Jesus was speaking in parables, it was clear by the context. When he was speaking straight, it was clear by the context. The words in the Genesis account regarding the lives of the patriarchs are not allegorical. It is clear by the context.)
