The Good Samaritan(1)

The Good Samaritan(1)

Here we share the first part of the Good Samaritan in the name of Jesus

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. (Luke 10:30 NIV)A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:31 NIV)So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:32 NIV)But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. (Luke 10:33 NIV)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. (Luke 10:34 NIV)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.’ (Luke 10:35 NIV)“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36 NIV)The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37 NIV)

Here Jesus talks to love his neighbor as himself, however who is his neighbor? In this analogy we can see three kinds of people: one is the Levites, one is the priest and the other one is the Samaritan. Israel despise Samaritans because they are the descendants of the Jews and the Gentiles in the flesh. But when the Jews fell into the hands of the robbers, the people of the country did not take care of him but left him away. However Samaritan, the people who are despised to be with by Jews got up to help him which broke the law of God in Jews' eyes.

These three kinds of people, who really is this person's neighbor? It is this Samaritan. In fact Jesus is blaming the teachers of the Jews for their eyes have only the law and the provisions. Provisions are dead but people are alive. It seems to love God however there is no God but provisions in their heart. They do know the purpose of the provisions is to love God and love people. So they have forgotten that the essence of the provision is out of love and they do what meet with the external provisions but contrary to the provisions of the essence.

In fact this good Samaritan really refers to Jesus himself. He has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life who is disgusted by the Israelites. Who has the mercy on the Jew is in trouble? That is Jesus Himself. Although Jesus has chosen the Levites and the priests to serve himself but these servants are contrary to the essence of the law which is love God and love people. Jesus rescued the man who was in trouble. He washed his wound, wiped with oil, settled him well and made a thorough consideration for him.

Why did this man fall in the hands of the robbers? For he went down from Samaria to Jericho which means he walked down from the household of God to the world resulting in falling in the hands of the devil. He was beaten, naked, shame, and almost lost his life. When the person is lost such as a prodigal son on whom God has mercy to look after him in trouble, wash away his sins and moisten him with grace. Here we can see Jesus brought grace and truth. John said, "The law is passed by Moses, and grace and truth are from Jesus."

And he took the Jew to the hotel to give the hotel owner some of the cost to take care of him. When the Samaritan came back again, all the cost will be clear. This hotel menas the church into which God brings people to let us care for. And when Jesus to come back, Jesus must start to account with us on whether we take good care of his sheep or not.

Thanks God, this is today's share, tomorrow we will share another part of the Good Samaritan about why did the priest not touch the man who was in the hands of the robbers？Please look forward to share in tomorrow.