Welcome! We are all about UNITING people here!
Let’s kick it off with a story about the good Samaritan. You all know it. I first remember it with stick figures. Colored by a Sunday School teacher. Attached to pop-cycle sticks. And although I kind of recall thinking more about where the pop-cycles actually went, than the story at the time….
Let’s get started!! (Hope you don’t mind, but I will narrate the story vs. actually quote scripture verbatim)
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A man went on a 17 mile journey that required him to decent about 3,000 miles. It was a dangerous journey. And there, he fell among thieves. He was stripped, wounded, and left half dead on the side of the road.
This priest was likely elevated, riding, not walking….because he wasn’t poor. Because of the way the road was, the priest also likely saw him long before he reached the wounded man.
He might have had time to contemplate his response, (and maybe that was the problem.)
Or, it might have been that the priest did not want to contaminate himself with an unconscious man that He could not identify or be certain was also a Jew. (At the time, there was quite the exclusiveness going on, especially between Samaritan and Jews.)
In addition, the injured one had nothing to offer the priest. No reward, no compensation, no accolades from man. He was simply dirty, wounded, without any material possessions. (I mean…..why would the priest even help him?)
These were not “bad” men. Or “mean” men…on the outside. They were looked up to. Respected. Esteemed. Yet…..
The Bible says this man also “saw him” and passed by on the other side.
Samaritans were hated by the Jews. Samaritans were mixed in ethnicity. They were outside the chosen circle.
Yet, this particular Samaritan saw the man on the other side of the road. And instead of ignoring him, he had compassion on Him. He sought him out. Tended his wounds. And poured oil and wine on the hurting.
The Samaritan didn’t stop there. He elevated the sick man upon His beast and took the position of a poor man, a servant…..by walking. He then found him shelter and took care of him through the night.
Lastly, he left, but payed the inn keeper to tend care of this man’s needs. And told him,
“I will repay you for whatever you spend doing for the injured, when I return.”
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To find us. The broken ones.
And does not leave our sides until the light comes, in the morning.
I see a God of love that explodes beyond tight circles founded through theological discussion, but a love demonstrated through impartial practical expressions and caring for the least of these.
Yet, I think we have all been the religious leaders. Not wanting to cross the tracks. Get dirty. Or defile ourselves with the overwhelming task of caring for the hurting.
Yet, Jesus says, “He who showed mercy on Him…..Go and do likewise.”
And could it be, religious exclusiveness will never make us clean? Our only chance of holiness is accepting Jesus, then by stepping into the unclean….
And loving like Jesus did.
Being that inn keeper….working until our King returns. For one thing is certain. He will reward us when we see Him again.
And Jesus wants to be seen. Through the hands of a love that crosses, UNITES all races and religious barriers.
Jesus wants to be seen…..Like the Good Samaritan.
And since those stick figures, I have always felt sad for the man stripped and stolen from, and defiled by the thief coming to rob, still, and destroy us.
However now, I hurt most in the story, for the one locked in their own religion of loneliness. Afraid to cross the street. Afraid to get dirty. Afraid to get off their horse that is going nowhere.
To see what it’s like….
To really meet Jesus.
O.K. Let’s UNITE! Would love for you to add the UNITE button or a link back here. Wondering about what UNITE is? Click here.
And remember, ALL ARE WELCOME! This is not an exclusive club….but a open hub for all bloggers…like YOU!
So, ready, let’s UNITE….for the glory of God and the good of people!
(Linking today with Jen at Finding Heaven, Titus 2 Tuesday)
8 Comments
I love your paraphrase. Well done!
Love this! The parable of the Good Samaritan is about a way of life really…we are to love everyone that we come in contact with—friends and strangers—and treat them with compassion and love. We should help each other in whatever way we can, (of course using caution and our better judgement!) including sacrificing our time and even money if necessary. God promises that He will not forget the good we show to others! 🙂
Blessings and love dear sister; wishing you a week of joy!
Denise
Locked in their own religion of loneliness and afraid to cross the street. Bam, baby. Geesh.
My heart breaks for the one who left his brother on the side of the road, too. I can’t imagine the hardness he had around his heart and I pray that God would always keep us soft.
Oh, Jen, I love the words you shared here. I don’t even want to think of how many times I’ve chosen NOT to be the Samaritan… passed up my own chance to be blessed. I once read a research project that took college seminary students who attended a lecture on this story, then as they crossed campus a “hurt’ man was staged on the grass- crying out for help,,, the students who had been told they had a meeting in FIVE minutes rushed by while those not in a hurry stopped. How sad that our world lives in a frenzy. That I live in a hurry. Slow feet make for open eyes. Thanks for the reminder here today.
Lisa – Thanks! 🙂
Denise – I agree with you totally! That love is not a one time act, but a daily life of living with eyes wide open…living seeing, waiting, anticipating how we can love like Him, our God & Good Samaritan. Have a great week too blessed friend!
Amy – Such a terrible state, huh!?
Jen – Love that prayer, my friend. Tender hearts filled with mercy for those most needy…whether it be the one on the side of the road, or for the one high lifted and passing by.
Alicia – Heartbreaking story. I have heard a similar story where a pastor of a mega-church dressed up like a homeless man and sat outside the doors of His church. People came Sunday mornings, dressed up, ready to “do church”…yet they missed the one most needy, the very heart of God. None approaching their own pastor, none asked to help him.
I LOVE what you said, “Slow feet make for open eyes”. Our business hindering our willingness to stop for the ONE. So true! So sadly true! Guilty as charged.
Thanks for the linkup today and the post/paraphrase.