Luke 10: 25-37
The
lawyer who approached Jesus asked a good question but he was not really seeking the truth.
(Lawyers in this context were experts in Mosaic law). Many people are like this.
They know so much about Christianity in their heads but it does not touch their hearts.
With what we know we try to justify ourselves and get ourselves out of trouble. Jesus
pointed him to the scriptures to find an answer. We should put our lives and questions
under the light of God’s word.
Many
struggle to keep God’s word because they love the world more than God’s word.
Jesus answers our prayers and tells us to go and do something. Many don’t obey even
if they have heard God speak to them. They keep fighting against God even if he has given
a clear answer. They try and justify themselves. They need help but won’t admit it.
They think they are good enough as they are.
Robbers
can come in many forms. Some beat you up physically or just beat up your reputation etc. A
robber can be anyone who “beats up” his neighbor in some way and leaves him
“half dead”.
A
neighbor is basically a person in need who is right in front of you. You can choose to
ignore, consider and walk on or stop and do what you can. It doesn’t matter if the
person is richer than you. We cannot always help people with money. Often the wealthiest
are the neediest in other ways. How can you help the next person? Who does God expect you
to help?
Some
people feel everyone owes them something. This is how the world thinks today. It is a
basic Christian principle to serve and help others and it has been lost in our society
today. This is practical Christianity. Who have you reached out to today? This week?
The
Samaritan had compassion not a chip on his shoulder about how he had experienced racial
prejudice or physical injustice. He showed love to this injured man and helped him more
than he had to. He paid for him, spent time with him, came alongside him and put effort
into his well-being He didn’t give him the wine to drink but used it as was needed to
wash the wounds. Sometimes we can come but actually the way we use what we’ve got or
the things we say do not help the situation at all. Job’s friends were like this.
Much of what they said seems right but it was said at the wrong time, in the wrong way.
We
have the blood of Jesus to bring to peoples’ needs. Do we bring this? It can cleanse
and heal.
There
are people we need to help or they’ll die.
Jesus
is the greatest “Samaritan”. We were dead in our sins, not just injured, and He
came alongside us to cleanse and heal. Call out to Him- He has love, compassion and mercy
for you. Then, when you have experienced Him as the “Samaritan”, you will find
it easy to go and do the same. That was what the Lord said to this lawyer and He says it
to us too– “Go and do likewise.”
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