Luke 10:30-37

Luke 10:30-37 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of 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, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins 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.”

In this amazing story, Jesus describes the qualities of a good neighbor or friend in more detail than most of us want to know. But He is not talking about loving a friend; he is talking about loving your enemy. Jesus says the Samaritan saw trouble and went to investigate the situation. He went to him. Sometimes I see trouble and I try to ignore it, to avoid it. I am sure people who are chronically or terminally ill experience this type of attitude often from their acquaintances and friends. At a distance they breathe a prayer for the sick person and then settle back in the recliner and think of something else. The first two upright Jewish men in this story passed by on the other side of life. Then the Samaritan not only goes to the desperate man, he also bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.

This event is starting to get expensive. For many of us, when cost appears on the table, we start thinking about how our actions will affect our livelihood, our way of living. Yet the Samaritan goes beyond cost as he begins taking care of the physical needs of this Jewish man who would have despised him. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. He was not merely involved with his means; he became involved with his presence and physical strength. He willingly expended himself entirely. He does not abandon the battered man, telling him, I will whisper a prayer for you tonight when I am home in my friendly surroundings. No, he helps the injured man, pays for his care, and tells the innkeeper, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. He would remember this man and provide for him until he was well. No whispered prayer here, no brief involvement and then forget the need. No, the Samaritan committed to finishing the deed by making sure the Jewish man received the care he needed. Jesus uses this story to show us what it means to love your neighbor as yourself, to love your enemies.

How can we love our enemies, those who despise us, as Jesus' words suggest? In the flesh, with our human frailties, impossible. In the Spirit, with Christ's love, possible. The Bible indicates while we were yet sinners, enemies of God, He loved us, sent his Son to die for us. Christ became a servant to all: rich or poor, sick or well, enemy or friend. He sought all of us as members of the household of God. The worst killer or thief among us He sought. The grumpiest alcoholic He sought. The biggest liar in the world He sought. HE SOUGHT ME, HE SOUGHT YOU. From God's perspective all are equal, all have sinned. Any sin puts us at the bottom of the barrel, for sin is a cancer that God will not tolerate in his family. In God's eyes, we might as well be the worst killer, thief, alcoholic, or liar, for no waywardness is tolerated in his kingdom.

Sin is sin and will never pass the test of holiness. God always detects sin, yet He loves us totally and unreservedly. He comes to us as the Samaritan did. He gives us drink and food, expending himself to ensure our care. He does all that for us, and then He gives us the Holy Spirit so we might learn to love others as He has loved us. The Bible says obedience is better than sacrifice (religious offerings). Jesus calls all of us to be as the Samaritan, to be examples of Jesus Christ in a needy world. People from the world might avoid our church services, but they will see us if we stop by the side of the road and give aid to the desperate, the hurting. Let us be so alive and overflowing with God's love that we gladly give our time, energy, and means to serving others. Then we will be the light and salt of the earth that Christ calls us to be. Today, arise, shine, and give God the glory!