Go And Do Likewise

"Today's Devotion" For May 8, 2007

Read: Luke 10:25-37; Psalm 49

GO AND DO LIKEWISE

"'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 10:36, 37)

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."

Out of the mouth of babes! How often isn't that the response we human beings have toward those in need. We live in a dangerous world and being a "Good Samaritan" is really risky. From what I understand about the situation of life for the beaten man, the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan, it wasn't much safer for them on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho than it is on most of our cities' streets today. Robbers and brigands were prevalent. That the priest and Levite may have seen the injured man as bait in a trap is entirely possible. They, and we, could probably find a thousand reasons not to stop and offer assistance under the circumstances. But one man did stop. And, what's more, he wasn't the "right type" of person. He was a Samaritan.

Without going into great detail, suffice it to say that the Jews considered the Samaritans as trash. In many ways I suppose one could say that Samaritans were viewed by the Jews in much the same way as Jews have been viewed by other people throughout history. There were racial, ethnic, and religious reasons for the disconnect between these two peoples, so for a Samaritan to stop and help a Jew would have been unthinkable. Of course, that's Jesus' point exactly. The lesson He was giving through this story answers not only the question, "Who is my neighbor?", but also reflects the grace, mercy, and love of God for humanity - "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

If we're honest with ourselves and how we view those with whom we have differences - racially, ethnically, nationally, religiously, spiritually - we're probably right there with the little girl's response to her Sunday School teacher's question, "I think I'd throw up!" Thank God He doesn't "throw up" when He sees our sinful condition. Thank God He determined to save us from our sins and heal our wounded souls and spirits, and most especially our relationship with Him.. In Christ Jesus we have been given a new life with our Father in heaven. By God's gift of faith to us through the power of His Word and Spirit, we know His love and are restored to Him so that we might share His love and compassion with others. "Go and do likewise" is to respond to God's love for us in Christ by loving others enough to overlook our differences and share the Good News of Jesus with them. That's how God's love touches others - through us.

Prayer: Father, I can't honestly say that I'm a very good, "Good Samaritan" in my life. All too frequently I let the differences I have with others, whether they are racial, ethnic, religious, economic, or otherwise, get in the way of loving them as You have loved me. All too often I find myself looking askance at those who are different from me and from those with whom I surround myself. As a result, I'm not always as willing to share Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus with others. I am just as afraid at times to assist those in need as were the priest and the Levite. I'm certain that Samaritan was also afraid, but his love and compassion, and I expect, his love for You, led him to overcome that fear and assist a brother in need. Father, I pray that You would send Your Spirit upon me in abundant measure and move my heart and spirit to seeing others as brothers and sisters in need of Your love and compassion. Let me be an instrument of Your peace and share with those in need and those who are different from me, even those with whom I may be at odds, You love and forgiveness in Jesus, who died and rose again for all people everywhere. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.