Hello everyone! I had an interesting conversation a few weeks ago whilst teaching children in church. We had discussed the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10 v 25 – 37) and we were sharing our thoughts on how this story fits in the modern day. A lovely 6year old girl said ‘what if the wounds were not on his body but on his heart’
Truthfully so, it would be very rare for a child or anyone actually to walk past a badly injured man on the streets of England as described in that story but what we would see daily are people who carry wounds in their hearts because we live in a broken world.
We are all surrounded by people (or maybe even we are) who are hurting either because of what has happened (or happening) to them or to their loved ones. We might not be the bandits as described in this parable but we do not have to walk away like the others did. There was a lot for us to learn from that story that I thought is worth sharing today.
The Priest
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side – Luke 10 v 31
Luke 10 v 31
This is similar to recognizing a person suffering, hurting, in lack and going our own way. Some of the kids had good excuses for the priest – what if he was going to preach, what if he had an appointment, what if he was going to pray for a sick man?
The bible doesn’t tell us where he was off to; we are only left to wonder.
But today, don’t be like the Priest that passed by on the other side.
The Levite
Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side
Luke 10 v 32
Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side
At the risk of sounding judgmental, I always feel this gentleman’s attitude was worse than the priest whenever I read this. At least the priest went on the other side, this man came to where the wounded man was, took a good look at him to confirm his pain before going his own way.
This is similar to acknowledging a person’s distress and discomfort only for the purpose of confirmation with no intention to ease it either with our words or in the place of prayer. Similar also to those who listen with the intent to gossip.
The Samaritan
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion
Luke 10 v 33
Compassion for ourselves and others, empathy and genuine love at such a time as this is what our world so desperately needs.
We can sometimes wonder what difference will the love I give make in this world? What difference did the good Samaritan make to that one man?
Do Not Expect Reward
In a world so result and reward oriented, do not expect a physical reward when doing good . Like the good Samaritan who took the hurt man to the hospital and promised to stop by on his way the next day, there was no expected reward for him but he did it anyway.
Just like him, also, do it anyway.
I hope this has blessed you. Please share with your friends. I leave you with the peace of God.
