Tag: The good Samaritan

The Desire to Relieve Suffering

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JESUS SPEAKING

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.'” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly, do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10: 25 – 37)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this parable, a priest and a Levite are the first two individuals to encounter the suffering stranger. Despite their status as Holy men, they exemplified ungodliness; moving on without rendering any assistance. The third man who arrived was a Samaritan (a people the Jews considered wicked, deplorable, and pagan.) And yet only the Samaritan expressed genuine compassion for the stranger. After cleaning and bandaging his wounds, he brought him to an inn and paid for his care and recovery. As Christians, we too are called to relieve the suffering of others (whenever the Lord leads.)

Like the good Samaritan, all Christians today are motivated by a desire to relieve human suffering; in whatever form it appears. For example, throughout much of the world clean drinking water is in short supply. Many sources of water in impoverished countries are polluted; and the existing wells are often too shallow and inadequate to prevent contamination from sewage; which causes death and disease. And so, in the name of Jesus Christ, many organizations have dug and built new wells in these locations; deep enough to prevent or reduce contamination. Utilizing these new sources of water they can also grow crops; which limits the effects of starvation. Like it should be, the body of Christ brings hope to others.

As Christians we must have compassion for those who are in desperate need, fulfilling our duty to prevent suffering whenever possible (without enabling those whose suffering is the result of their own sinful behavior) May we show the love of Christ to those who are struggling. Using our kindness as a testimony of God’s love, we can then offer the gospel message of repentance and salvation to those who have experienced God’s affection.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we seek to accomplish Your works in this place, so that many might be drawn to You. Give us the desire to relieve the suffering of others (whenever appropriate.) May we also express love for our family, friends, and neighbors; giving ourselves over in service to those who are struggling. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Sacrifice is Love

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

   But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves.” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10: 29 – 37.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     In this parable a man is badly beaten, robbed, and left to die on the side of the road. Two supposed religious leaders simply ignore the man’s desperate condition; placing their own desires ahead of God’s will.  In general, the Jews considered Samaritans to be Godless degenerates; and yet in this illustration, the only one to show compassion and love for the wounded stranger, was the Samaritan.  His love was expressed in the form of sacrifice.  Unlike the priest and the Levite, the Samaritan sacrificed his time, his wealth, and his reputation to assist the injured man.  Without sacrifice there is no real proof of love.

    In life, infants undeniably demand a great deal of time, attention, and resources.  ‘Good parenting’ is therefore a synonym for ‘sacrifice.’  New parents can expect to forfeit countless privileges on behalf of their children.  It is estimated that in the first year of a child’s existence, they will need to be changed 2500 times and fed every 4 hours.  Similarly, newborns must be burped, bathed, clothed, held, and played with every day; actions which require a great deal of selflessness and sacrifice.

     Like the Samaritan, and like any good parent, Jesus Christ has asked His children to lay down their selfish pursuits to love and care for those in need.  If we embrace a spirit of sacrifice, then God will provide us with opportunities to love our families, our friends, and our neighbors.  As we accomplish the will of God, our hearts will know peace and we will inherit the eternal blessings that He has promised to those who faithfully serve Him.

  “Lord Heavenly Father, please give us the courage and strength to embrace selflessness and sacrifice. May we be filled with compassion; may we always seek the lost; and may we continually display love for those in need.  Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, make us more like You each and every day.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!

Loving Your Neighbor

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

   “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered him saying: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he looked upon him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn and, and took care of him. The next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend when I come next time, I will repay you.’ So, which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10: 29 – 37.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    Samaria consisted of a population of pagan individuals dwelling within the borders of the nation of Israel (just north of Jerusalem); as non-Hebrews, they frequently engaged in immoral and idolatrous behaviors; for this reason, they were despised by the religious Israelites. In fact, many orthodox Jews, when traveling, would contemptuously journey around Samaria. After confirming the importance of loving one’s neighbor, Jesus was asked to define what constituted a neighbor. His reply came in the form of a story; in the narrative a man was beaten and left for dead on the side of the road; two religious Jews passed by, yet neither stopped to help (one was a priest and the other a supposed man of God.) Soon however, a Samaritan happened by, and his heart was filled with compassion. Seeking to preserve the man’s life, he gave of his time, his money, and his resources. He showed genuine mercy and astonishing generosity. Many today, like the priest and the Levite, are so concerned with what lies ahead that they fail to stop and assist those who are hurting and in need of assistance.
    Some time ago, during a cross-country meet in Minnesota, a young man named Mark Paulauskas was injured in the first half-mile of a two-mile race. He had been spiked by another runners’ cleats (a wound that would eventually require 20 stitches and a walking boot.) As Paulauskas cried out in agony, most of the other runners passed him by; they were more focused on the finish line than on the pain of a suffering opponent. Yet one individual heard his cries and was filled with compassion. A runner named Josh Ripley willingly abandoned his pursuit of victory so he could stop and help. Without hesitation he picked Mark up and carried him a half-mile back to the starting line. After committing his wounded competitor into the arms of the coaches, Josh Ripley sprinted off into the wilderness again; to complete his race. Although he didn’t win, he obtained a great victory in the eyes of God.
    Our fleshly nature commonly causes us to become so focused on what lies ahead that we ignore those who are right beside us. If we are not careful we can pass right by those who are hurting and ignore the call of God to ‘love our neighbor as ourselves.’ The world can be cold and apathetic; yet in the midst of indifference, there are those who are willing to display great compassion and mercy; they give selflessly; they love unconditionally; they listen to the Spirit of God; they are followers of Jesus Christ; they are Christians.
    “Lord Heavenly Father, may we always show sympathy toward those who are hurting and in need. May we be relieved of indifference and filled with mercy. May nothing ever be more important than genuine compassion, nor greater than Your divine love. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we might be examples of Your affection in a world that has grown cold and apathetic. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!