Luke 10:25-37
Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”
He answered, “What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?”
He
said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer
and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as
you do yourself.”
“Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”
Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”
Jesus
answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from
Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took
his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a
priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled
across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he
also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road
came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him.
He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he
lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable.
In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the
innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it
on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’
“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”
“The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Police
have apprehended the 28-year-old man who allegedly placed a series of
homemade bombs along the streets of New York City and a couple of New
Jersey communities in recent days. Fingerprints left on some of the
bombs led to this man’s arrest after a brief shootout with police in
which he and two policemen were wounded.
Not long after news
broke about this man’s apprehension, politicians took the airwaves to
weigh in with their opinions. One person complained loudly that this
suspected bomber will most likely receive quality medical care and be
treated by top-notch doctors. In my mind, there are two obvious reasons
to do this…1) we don’t often apprehend a would-be bomber and have the
opportunity to question him/her to possibly learn things that might help
prevent future acts of terrorism; and just as importantly…2) it’s the
right thing to do.
I watched news coverage as emergency personnel
loaded this young man into an ambulance. I looked at his face and
thought of our own nephews – about this same age - and our little
great-nephews and cousins who we love so dearly. I couldn’t help but
look at him as the precious son of a mother and father – or the perhaps
someone’s beloved brother or nephew. I do not in any way condone this man’s
actions, and I do hope that justice is served. But I also pray that he
encounters some “Good Samaritans” among the law enforcement and medical
personnel who will attend to him now.
Perhaps he will be treated
by a doctor or nurse who will give him the same tender care that would
be given to his/her own child or loved one. Maybe he will be handled
with respect and fairness…and just MAYBE this young man will
recognize that this is better than he deserves. It is possible that this
would-be bomber might see the love of Jesus in the words and actions of
those who are now guarding his every move…and that God will be
glorified.
Every day, we waste countless opportunities to love
others as Christ loves us. We are so caught up in “What’s in it for
me?” that we fail to see what Jesus wants us to see…to minister to
others in His name and let Him control the end result. We don’t look at
others as Jesus sees them…with the same lens through which He views
each of us. We do not consider them to be as precious in Jesus’
sight…and we don’t love them like He does – or as He loves us.
Jesus is not ours exclusively…He came to save the world…not just the minuscule
“sphere” in which you and I operate. Isn’t it time you opened your
heart and mind to what He desires? Will this be the day that we become
the “Good Samaritans” - wherever and whenever Christ provides us with an
opportunity? Don’t you think it’s time we did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Good Samaritan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good Samaritan. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 15, 2014
Luke 10:30-35
Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My friend Teresa has entirely taken the term “Good Samaritan” to another level. She serves in outreach ministry through her local division of the Arkansas Dream Center, a church-supported group whose website lists their mission as…”to serve, love, and build relationships with the people in these communities in order that they would Dream Again. It’s a simple ...an after-school program to provide kids with snacks…homework help and fun activities…feeding pre-school and some of the elderly and disabled lunches twice a week during the school year…filling backpacks with food for kids to eat on weekends…annual coat and shoe drives, and perhaps their most ambitious project - a Christmas Mall, where close to 250 families were able to provide more than 500 toys to children who would otherwise receive nothing for Christmas.
Additionally, Teresa frequently puts out the call on Facebook to help someone… family of four lost everything in house fire – here are sizes and needs…elderly friend fell on the ice and needs a welfare check…looking for a queen size bed for a single mom who has no bed…electricity is due to be shut off TODAY - two children in home - one with special needs…family with two toddlers has NO FOOD - they have nothing to serve for Thanksgiving and no food in their house. You get the picture. And every time, someone comes through…usually with donations of goods and services to spare!
I know what you are thinking…that there are special people among us who truly are “Good Samaritans” like Teresa… and this is their “calling”…that ordinary folks like you and I could not be this effective. My answer is that Teresa is an “ordinary” single mother of two with a full-time job. She is not an heiress with an unlimited bank account or a paid employee of this organization. She is simply an obedient servant of Christ with a heart for others. In most cases, she doesn’t know the people she is serving…and it doesn’t matter. When I think of this story in Luke, I cannot imagine that Teresa would pass by the man traveling to Jericho…much less cross the street to avoid him. She would be like the Samaritan…she would go out of her way to kneel before him, assess his needs, and meet them. And if you continue reading in the 37th verse of this passage, Jesus tells the religious scholars – and us – to “go and do the same.”
Please understand that I am not suggesting that we all become involved in a ministry like the Arkansas Dream Center… or that we should strive to be involved to the same extent as my friend Teresa (but wouldn’t it be great if we were?!). What I am saying is that in many instances, we have honed the fine art of saying, “That’s not my problem!” and crossed to the other side of the road. Some of us have a fleeting hope that another person will pick up the slack and help out…while others never give it a second thought. Either way, we have failed to operate in obedience to Jesus’ commands.
My challenge to you – and to myself – is to set aside our own desires and agendas for just a few moments each day. Ask God, “Who, where and how do you want me to serve today?” And when He shows you His answer…make sure you pay attention. Be ready and willing to…”go and do the same.” If God has called you to it, He will enable you to accomplish it all...and then some!
©2014 Debbie Robus
http://arkansasdreamcenter.tv
Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My friend Teresa has entirely taken the term “Good Samaritan” to another level. She serves in outreach ministry through her local division of the Arkansas Dream Center, a church-supported group whose website lists their mission as…”to serve, love, and build relationships with the people in these communities in order that they would Dream Again. It’s a simple ...an after-school program to provide kids with snacks…homework help and fun activities…feeding pre-school and some of the elderly and disabled lunches twice a week during the school year…filling backpacks with food for kids to eat on weekends…annual coat and shoe drives, and perhaps their most ambitious project - a Christmas Mall, where close to 250 families were able to provide more than 500 toys to children who would otherwise receive nothing for Christmas.
Additionally, Teresa frequently puts out the call on Facebook to help someone… family of four lost everything in house fire – here are sizes and needs…elderly friend fell on the ice and needs a welfare check…looking for a queen size bed for a single mom who has no bed…electricity is due to be shut off TODAY - two children in home - one with special needs…family with two toddlers has NO FOOD - they have nothing to serve for Thanksgiving and no food in their house. You get the picture. And every time, someone comes through…usually with donations of goods and services to spare!
I know what you are thinking…that there are special people among us who truly are “Good Samaritans” like Teresa… and this is their “calling”…that ordinary folks like you and I could not be this effective. My answer is that Teresa is an “ordinary” single mother of two with a full-time job. She is not an heiress with an unlimited bank account or a paid employee of this organization. She is simply an obedient servant of Christ with a heart for others. In most cases, she doesn’t know the people she is serving…and it doesn’t matter. When I think of this story in Luke, I cannot imagine that Teresa would pass by the man traveling to Jericho…much less cross the street to avoid him. She would be like the Samaritan…she would go out of her way to kneel before him, assess his needs, and meet them. And if you continue reading in the 37th verse of this passage, Jesus tells the religious scholars – and us – to “go and do the same.”
Please understand that I am not suggesting that we all become involved in a ministry like the Arkansas Dream Center… or that we should strive to be involved to the same extent as my friend Teresa (but wouldn’t it be great if we were?!). What I am saying is that in many instances, we have honed the fine art of saying, “That’s not my problem!” and crossed to the other side of the road. Some of us have a fleeting hope that another person will pick up the slack and help out…while others never give it a second thought. Either way, we have failed to operate in obedience to Jesus’ commands.
My challenge to you – and to myself – is to set aside our own desires and agendas for just a few moments each day. Ask God, “Who, where and how do you want me to serve today?” And when He shows you His answer…make sure you pay attention. Be ready and willing to…”go and do the same.” If God has called you to it, He will enable you to accomplish it all...and then some!
©2014 Debbie Robus
http://arkansasdreamcenter.tv
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