What am I doing? Part Three

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.      Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying,   ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’    (Luke 10:33-35 ESV)

In sharp contrast to the upstanding citizens, the priest and the Levite, enter the Samaritan.  A Samaritan?  A half-breed, wrong-worshiping, don’t even eat with Samaritan?  If Jesus wanted “shock value” to grab the attention of the lawyer, this was certainly a qualifying example.

This Samaritan was not “lying in wait” as one of the bands of robbers.  He was traveling; he was going somewhere.  He had his own “to do” list.  However, he not only saw the broken, bleeding man; he had compassion on him. He went to him, applied what first aid he could on that narrow, dangerous road, and then put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn.  Was the nearest place for comfort and rest for the wounded man on the Samaritan’s way, or did he backtrack?  This certainly was an interruption; whatever plans the Samaritan had needed to be delayed in order to provide care for this man in need.

The Samaritan stayed the night with the wounded man.  He didn’t just “dump him” either; he paid the innkeeper to see to the man’s recovery, with the promise to reimburse whatever expenses incurred when he returned.  I wonder if the Samaritan was a regular tenant of the inn.  Was the innkeeper a personal friend? 

Did you notice that the Samaritan didn’t consider the status of the man; he only saw that he was in immediate need of help, and the Samaritan was “at the right place at the right time” to help him.  I’m sure the Samaritan had no idea whether or not he would ever be repaid for his kindness and generosity.  In this story, that was not a consideration; the need was evident, he could meet the need, end of debate.

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him,      “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36, 37 ESV)

Here comes the penetrating question; the question that forces the lawyer to “choose” whether or not he really believes what he knows and says.  The question is just as penetrating today, isn’t it? 

What is my “mercy level?”  Am I generous with mercy (remember, mercy is undeserved) or do I consider the worth or merit of someone before I decide to be merciful? Note:  the man in the parable was truly in need.  I’m not promoting indiscriminate use of the time, energy and money God has given.

Do I raise up my eyes and “see” those truly in need?  Am I so focused on my travels, my agenda, my plans, that God is not allowed to interrupt and use me to bless another?

Lastly, does my life and my worldview and the way I spend my time, energy and money line up with what I say I believe?  Am I like the lawyer, full of knowledge but willing to compartmentalize God’s Word and His clear commands?  Am I like the Samaritan, misjudged by many, but willing to be compassionate and merciful?

Heavenly Father,

It is impossible to love You with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind and all my strength.  It’s impossible for me to love my neighbor as myself.  My heart is so self-centered!  I desperately need the Holy Spirit’s help; I am so grateful for the new life and the new heart that You have given me when I trusted in Jesus as my only salvation.

Lord, help me to see interruptions as divine appointments.  Give me more compassion for the broken and the wounded.  Give me eyes to see this world with Your eyes.  Most of all, give Me a heart to show the world what a Wonderful God You are.

I love You so much,