Tag: Luke 10:36
Day 2–“Who is my neighbor?”
Scripture reading for May 19: Luke 10:29-34, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So, likewise a Levite, when he come to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 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. . . .” vs 36 “ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor. . .?”
Jesus loved to ask questions and to tell stories that helped those asking questions to figure out the answer for themselves. In this story of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ Jesus was asked by a religious ‘lawyer’ a question concerning how to determine who was our neighbor. God’s law instructed His people to love their neighbors as themselves. But prejudice against the Samaritans ran deep in Jewish culture. The lawyer sought to trap Jesus but Jesus told him a story.
The story was that of a man who was robbed, beaten, and left to die by a road in Israel. Two respected Jews, a priest and a Levite, passed this helpless victim. They purposely moved to the opposite side of the road to avoid facing the need. The third traveler was a ‘Samaritan’ who had compassion and stopped to help, using his own supplies to bind up the wounds. He utilized his own animal to transport him and paid expenses for him at the inn. Jesus asked the lawyer: “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor?”
As first responders, we must take the stance of the third traveler. There is no room for prejudice against anyone of a different race or religion. We must not be in such a hurry that we avoid facing the needs presented or make excuses. All should be done with excellence and compassion, proving us good neighbors.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for asking questions and telling us stories we can identify with. Forgive me when I have made excuses not to help others or been in a hurry. Fill me with compassion. Amen.