Most people are familiar with the story Jesus told in Luke 10 about a man who was robbed and beaten and left for dead by the thieves. Three people came by and saw him — a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. Only one helped – the one least expected to care for one so different from himself. Thus we call this the story of “The Good Samaritan.”
This story was told in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” At the end of the story, Jesus asked a question. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The man answered, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Then Jesus makes the statement that is relevant to us still today. “You go and do likewise.”
“Likewise” means “in the same manner.” Just like the Samaritan reacted is how we are to react. The Samaritan looked past the “differences” between himself and this man, who was probably a Jew.
Consider some things about this Samaritan:
He had compassion.
He saw someone with a need and tended to it.
He realized it would cost him time and money but he made the sacrifice.
He may have realized that others might talk about him for associating with someone “different” but he helped anyway.
He treated someone in the way he would want to be treated. (Read Matthew 7:12 — the “Golden Rule.”)
He did it without thinking of reward for himself.
He set an example of what is right to do because Jesus uses this as an example.
Christian compassion goes beyond differences. When you look at someone, do you see differences or do you see a person? If I let prejudice, of any kind, negatively affect my attitude toward others, then I am disregarding the teaching Jesus presented here.
Jesus said, “You go and do likewise.”
Who is my neighbor? Ask Jesus. And then ask yourself, “Am I following him and his example.
I’d like to hear from you. Email me at email@example.com.