I have always loved the story about the Good Samaritan and it has made me always want to be the person that helps. How in the world can someone be hurt and beat up on the side of the road and people not help them? Luke 10:25-37 tells the story about a Samaritan, Priest and a Levite who saw a person in need. The only difference in their perspectives was the fact that one chose to stoop while the others only stopped, looked
and then went on their way.
Now if someone is in the ditch and you are walking down the road; surely you are going to see them and stop to assess the situation. Then depending on what your schedule or day is like; you will determine just how involved you are going to get. Now I know that ALL of us has done this sometime or another. We have thought about helping someone and then dismissed it because it sounded way to energy-consuming and we just didn't have "time for that". Helping people can be really hard work and it may take you way beyond your comfort zone and cause you to have to cancel some plans and reschedule some rest or spend some money or even share a meal.
I think that the priest and the levite didn't want any "interruptions" to their day and I think that they stopped but talked through it and decided to walk on. Possibly their schedule was so full that they couldn't be late or that they thought the situation was way beyond what they thought they could handle. Many times we ask God to give us opportunities to serve and minister but when presented we doubt our capabilities or we aren't sure what to say or do and end of kicking ourselves later because of the wasted opportunity.
Each of these men had the same ability to help out but only one made the effort. You don't hear the story told in the Bible as the "Good Priest" or the "Good Levite"...but you see the title that we have given to the Samaritan as "Good". The Samaritan not only stopped but went "over to him" and stooped down and bandaged him, picked him up and carried him to a ride, to food, to shelter and to restoration. He not only gave of his time but also gave of his treasure.
Jesus sacrificed much for us and he stopped when he saw us in great need and went WAY out of his way toward us, he stooped under a cross and carried it far to provide for our every need and gave us a way to restoration. May we never forget that we were once in the ditch with no hope but someone saved us so that we would go into the highways and byways and do the same for others. Because one day what will matter most to us all is when God says, "well done my GOOD and faithful servant." Now that is something to think about.
Adjust that Crown!
Jonna
Now if someone is in the ditch and you are walking down the road; surely you are going to see them and stop to assess the situation. Then depending on what your schedule or day is like; you will determine just how involved you are going to get. Now I know that ALL of us has done this sometime or another. We have thought about helping someone and then dismissed it because it sounded way to energy-consuming and we just didn't have "time for that". Helping people can be really hard work and it may take you way beyond your comfort zone and cause you to have to cancel some plans and reschedule some rest or spend some money or even share a meal.
I think that the priest and the levite didn't want any "interruptions" to their day and I think that they stopped but talked through it and decided to walk on. Possibly their schedule was so full that they couldn't be late or that they thought the situation was way beyond what they thought they could handle. Many times we ask God to give us opportunities to serve and minister but when presented we doubt our capabilities or we aren't sure what to say or do and end of kicking ourselves later because of the wasted opportunity.
Each of these men had the same ability to help out but only one made the effort. You don't hear the story told in the Bible as the "Good Priest" or the "Good Levite"...but you see the title that we have given to the Samaritan as "Good". The Samaritan not only stopped but went "over to him" and stooped down and bandaged him, picked him up and carried him to a ride, to food, to shelter and to restoration. He not only gave of his time but also gave of his treasure.
Jesus sacrificed much for us and he stopped when he saw us in great need and went WAY out of his way toward us, he stooped under a cross and carried it far to provide for our every need and gave us a way to restoration. May we never forget that we were once in the ditch with no hope but someone saved us so that we would go into the highways and byways and do the same for others. Because one day what will matter most to us all is when God says, "well done my GOOD and faithful servant." Now that is something to think about.
Adjust that Crown!
Jonna
