The Good Samaritan. In the background today I hear breaking news as the political landscape shifts again with another resignation and much political commentary - it is becoming background noise, the importance of which may not last until next week never mind 2000 years into the future.
A man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers who stripped him beat him and left him for dead.
The man took a chance, this was a dangerous route Jews did not travel through Samaria, this was hostile ground. And so he met with attackers ... As he lay dying however it was not the Priest or the levite who helped, help did not come from his own, the people he identified with - help came from a Samaritan the least likely friend, the enemy...
We cannot stay in our separate boxes, however different we are in culture, speech, political view, income level, education some things cut across all boundaries the basic need to help our neighbour. To be kind and good to one another to see humanity in each other, to see Christ in each other.
Reaching out to help, crossing the road, stepping over the boundary, loving our neighbour without regard to who they are, is the most powerful thing we can do, so powerful that a mention of the good Samaritan rings down through centuries as a way of living which promises peace and joy and richness of life.
The story is unchanged, the invitation is still there, we have the power in simple gestures to change the world for the better.
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
A man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers who stripped him beat him and left him for dead.
The man took a chance, this was a dangerous route Jews did not travel through Samaria, this was hostile ground. And so he met with attackers ... As he lay dying however it was not the Priest or the levite who helped, help did not come from his own, the people he identified with - help came from a Samaritan the least likely friend, the enemy...
We cannot stay in our separate boxes, however different we are in culture, speech, political view, income level, education some things cut across all boundaries the basic need to help our neighbour. To be kind and good to one another to see humanity in each other, to see Christ in each other.
Reaching out to help, crossing the road, stepping over the boundary, loving our neighbour without regard to who they are, is the most powerful thing we can do, so powerful that a mention of the good Samaritan rings down through centuries as a way of living which promises peace and joy and richness of life.
The story is unchanged, the invitation is still there, we have the power in simple gestures to change the world for the better.
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10 vs 33-37
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