The Parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10: 30 - 37:
In reply, Jesus said: “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 travelled, 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 neighbour 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.”
This parable emphasises that in true saving faith and obedience to God, there must be compassion for those in need. The call to love God is a call to love others.
The new life and grace that Christ gives to those who accept Him will produce love, mercy and compassion for those who are distressed and afflicted. It is the responsibility of all believers to act on God’s love within them and not to harden their hearts.
Those who profess to be Christians, yet have hearts which are insensitive to the suffering and needs of others, give sure evidence that they may not have eternal life in them.
In Matthew 25: 31 - 46, Jesus equates the people who acted in love by meeting the needs of those who struggle in life, as those who truly love Him. Whereas those who ignore the plight of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked and the prisoner, Jesus in verse 45 said of them, “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Verse 46 goes on to say, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life”
My encouragement to you is that you look at those around you who are facing challenges in life, as people whom God loves. See them in the eyes of Jesus. As God prompts you, give them a listening ear, pray with them, share a meal with them. Be bold. 1 John 4:19 said: “We love because God first love us.” Remember the words of the King in Matthew 25:40 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
1 John 3:17 & 18 says: “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
God bless you as you become Jesus to those around you.
Larry
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