“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.” (Luke 10:33-34, ESV)
I recently heard a minister state, “It costs to care.” He wasn’t talking as much about dollars and cents as the cost of helping others. To invest in the life of someone, we expend time, energy, and effort. And, yes, sometimes we invest financially. Ministering to others can be inconvenient and emotionally draining, but it’s worth it!
In Luke 10, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, a man who invested his time and his money in the life of an unknown, severely injured stranger. Jesus began His parable after He was asked the question, “Who is my neighbor?”
For a little background, the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a seventeen mile stretch through a desert area. It was steep, with the elevation descending 3,000 feet. It was also dangerous because of the places robbers could hide and set upon travelers, such as the man in the story. Even the Samaritan may have put himself in danger by taking time to stop and help.
First, the Samaritan tended to the injured man’s wounds. Then he placed the man upon his own animal to carry him to an inn. But his compassion did not stop there. According to verse 34, he didn’t just drop the injured man at the inn door and leave. He took time to stop and care for him. Then he paid the innkeeper two denarii, which was equal to two days’ pay, to continue caring for him. He also promised to pay any further expenses upon his return. Caring for the man was not easy or convenient. But his actions saved a life that day.
Sometimes the people God puts in our path to help have messy, wounded lives. We may not see any physical injuries like the man in the story, but nevertheless they have wounds. Sometimes those are self-inflicted by wrong life choices and a sinful lifestyle. Sometimes the wounds are caused by others. Regardless of how they were injured, we have the opportunity to bind them up and help them heal.
When the Lord came to this earth wrapped in human flesh, He did not come as a conquering king. He came as a servant. Jesus touched the untouchable leper. He healed a demon-possessed wild man who lived among the tombs. He forgave a woman caught in sin. He offered living water to a woman with a unsettled past. He even washed the feet of the one who betrayed Him. Jesus was not afraid to get involved with messy lives. He came to bind up our wounds and help us heal.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1, ESV)
Serving God is about serving others. Just as He came to minister to the bruised and the broken, we are called to do the same. Yes, it may be messy. It may be inconvenient. It may take time away from things we’d rather be doing. And it may even cost us money at times. As the minster stated, “It costs to care.”
Who is my neighbor? Anyone the Lord puts in my path to help.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40, ESV)
Lord, show me who I can help today. Help me to serve as You served, lovingly and compassionately. Help me to make a difference by loving them just like You love them.
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