Life is busy, especially in the "Rat Race," So why would anyone inconvenience themself for the sake of another?
For those who don't know, the term "Good Samaritan" comes from a parable spoken by Jesus to an "expert of the law." The experts of the law were always testing Jesus, attempting to catch him up in his words,
And this occasion was no different...
The "expert of the law" asked Jesus,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus initially directed him back to the law, asking him, "What's in the law? How do you read it?"
"He answered,
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
This entire dialogue is recorded in the book of Luke chapter 10 verses 25-37
Jesus then tells the parable of the "Good Samaritan," and it goes like this:
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers.
They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.
Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
An interesting side note is the fact that Jesus portrayed the Samaritan as the good guy in the story, over the two other Israelite fellows.
The Israelite fellows of the parable, a priest and a Levite, both held God-ordained priestly positions of a God-ordained country that looked down on Samaritans as "half-breeds."
The Samaritan was the only compassionate one out of the three?!
What's sad, is I've heard more justification from "Christians," on refusing to help a neighbor in need, than I have witnessed responses like this "Good Samaritan" of the bible...
And this Samaritan went above and beyond for this stranger... Dressed his wounds, picked him up, put him in an inn, took care of him, and even came out of pocket to lodge the stranger for further care, as he tarried on...
If you're a Christian, are you even willing to inconvenience yourself for somebody in need, or are you like the Priest and the Levite, who knew the law, had the titles, had the positions, but didn't have the heart?
Be honest with yourself...
Examine yourself...
So many people in need have crossed your path, and so many more indeed will...
Who will you reflect?
The Priest?
The Levite?
Or the Good Samaritan?
Take these words to heart and bring them to the Lord in prayer...
In Jesus name
Be blessed
Amen
~J-Will Guide the Wheel