"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 came 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. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back." - Luke 10:30-35
A Levite is a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi, especially of that part of it which provided assistants to the priests in the worship in the Jewish temple. You know what priest is. And the Samaritan in the Bible was a person from Samaria, a region north of Jerusalem. In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people of Galilee and Judea shunned the Samaritans, viewing them as a mixed race who practiced an impure, half-pagan religion.
So who would you think would be most likely want to help a Jewish man who was in trouble that was not of his own doing? That was rhetorical. :) It was not someone that was the least likely in the minds of the Jews. But that was the one who helped. The priest and the Levite, both very religious and familiar with God's character could not be bothered with helping someone of the same faith. So how do you think they would respond to the homeless, uneducated and poor immigrants, or disenfranchised for other reasons not of their own doing. Perhaps born with the different color of skin or in the wrong neighborhood or the wrong country? It would not even be on their radar.
Martie and I spent 4 years in Haiti. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. So many wonderful people live in that country. As bad as it was when we were there, it is so much worse today. Gangs rule the country. The people are suffering. Just a few days ago almost 4,000 prisoners were freed by the gangs from a prison in Port au Prince. How did that help the people? Did you know about that? Does it even concern you that it happened?
It is so easy to walk on the other side of the road and focus on your own problems. I have often told my children, "The worst thing you have experienced is the worst thing you know." In fact, one of my daughters reminded me of my telling her that just this week. You might sympathize but you can't empathize. At least not naturally.
You may not be able to "cross the road" to help Haiti like the Samaritan did, but could you, would you, take a moment to pray for the people who are suffering in the chaos? And if you think about it, there may be someone "lying in the ditch" a little closer to home that might need a helping hand. Are you willing to cross the road.
"Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” [Jesus asked] He [the man trying to justify his self-centeredness] said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise." - Luke 10:36-37
Note: I was about to post this devotion on Facebook when I read a post from my good friend Pastor Marc in Jacmel, Haiti. "We do not only have bad news about Haiti. We have some good news too. Despite all the dark time we are going through, we continue to train some men and women of God for the ministries." So encouraging Bondye Bon Tout Tan - God is good all the time. Pray that the Saints will continue to be encouraged.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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