Luke 10:30-35
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 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.’
Comments
The lack of compassion by the priest and Levite brought no shame in Jesus’ day; they were following the custom of avoiding those who were suffering in order not to be made unclean by coming in contact with them.
What is so extraordinary about the Samaritan is that he went out of his way to show compassion toward a man who in all likelihood would not have returned the favor. Jews had been deeply prejudiced against Samaritans for hundreds of years. The very idea of “a good Samaritan” was shocking to any Jew.
Reflections
To what extent is your compassion limited to those who you think deserve to be helped?
How far would you go to help someone in distress if you knew their politics, religion or lifestyle was clearly at odds with your own?
Prayer
Forgive me, Lord, for ever letting my love for others be constrained within the bounds of my pride and prejudice.
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