Monday 18 April, 2011
The story of the Good Samaritan is inspirational, challenging and thought provoking. It’s found in Luke Chapter 10 and is about the different ways in which 3 men respond to another man who has been robbed and in need.
The story found in Luke 10:30-35 (MSG) says, “There was once a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. A Samaritan travelling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.'”
I find it interesting that the first two men avoided helping the injured man and I wonder what was going through their minds at the time? Meanwhile, the Samaritan, who culturally in that day was not very well liked by Jews, responded with compassion even to the point of taking the injured man to a safe place and paying for him to rest and recover.
We have probably all done as the first 2 men did at different points in our lives. We’ve seen someone in need, ignored them, been too busy, perhaps the person had a disability… I’m sure there are a myriad of reasons why people walk past people in need.
In saying this, we need to use wisdom in these situations. There are times when we need to discern if it is safe to help and decide how we can best do this, be it that we call the ambulance or police to aid the person.
Another thing I notice about the Samaritan is that he does not make a big song and dance about the fact that he has helped somone. He quietly goes about helping this man with no motivation of gain for himself.
Let’s be women that no matter what we are in the midst of, or where we are rushing to and from, that we would respond with compassion and appropriate action to any situation that may cross our paths.
Girls Of Wisdom 