RISKY BUSINESS!

RISKY BUSINESS!

Luke 10:30-34

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

          These days, as in those days, it was risky business to stop and render aid. This one who seems to be in distress might be setting a trap for you! Perhaps he is a robber or a professional beggar. Wisdom says to be skeptical.

          Yesterday a curious thing happened. A young man attracted the compassionate attention of my wife. He was not bothering anybody. He was not panhandling. He was simply sitting forlornly in the middle of town with his face in his hands. Clearly, he was in distress. Rather than approach him alone, she doubled back to pick me up at the office and I accompanied her back to the young man. After introductions and a few questions, we gave him some money and some gospel literature. As we drove away he removed his glasses and seemed to be in tears. So were we!

          We didn’t think of ourselves as “good” Samaritans. In fact the term “good Samaritan” is nowhere to be found in Scripture. The goodness of the Samaritan is inferred by his actions. He responds with kindness when he might have joined others who simply passed by.

          Anyone can suddenly find himself in need of a good Samaritan. Lost, lonely, beaten and forlorn the victim waits for God to speak to someone’s heart and fill them with enough courage to take a risk.

Dear Lord, let me be sensitive to the needs of others today. Let me not pass by on the other side. AMEN