Posts
"...and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them" (Luke 10:34a)
Have you ever been occupied with something, beloved, only to have the doorbell ring or a neighbor walk up, or some other interruption occur that completely stopped you in your tracks? At such times nothing is more annoying than having to stop what you are doing, having to lose your focus and turn to something else!
The Samaritan was on a journey of his own. He had business appointments to keep, an agenda to be carried out, places to go and people to see. Yet when he found the wounded Hebrew on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, all of that changed. In the words "(he) came to him," we discover a man who cared so much about this hapless victim that he was willing to have his own journey interrupted, his own schedule set aside. And it was at this precise moment that ministry became "costly" for him.
You and I as Christians are going to have to be willing to be "inconvenienced" if we are ever going to help others by ministering to their needs in the love of Jesus. I recall a personal experience that speaks to this need graphically. While serving as a pastor when I was much younger, I had the responsibility for keeping the parsonage grass cut. I was free to use the church's riding mower and was only too glad to do so. What annoyed me, however, were the "interruptions" of finding objects laying in my path when I was flying along across the lawn at full speed. Ever been there? I did not like having to go through all of those safety steps that were then and are now designed into riding mowers - taking the mower out of gear, disengaging the blades, putting the mower in the "Park" position before it would allow me to dismount without the engine cutting off. So I developed my own technique for ridding myself of those pesky objects that dared to get in my way. I learned how to lean down at just the right angle, still flying along with the throttle wide open, and "scoop" up each object that was in my path. Certainly I would not recommend such a foolhardy practice to anyone in using a riding mower today, but that is what I did. And I did so all because I did not want my activity to be interrupted in any way!
Sometimes as Christians that is precisely how we try to minister to people's needs. We "fly through" their lives at breakneck speed, trying to slap a band-aid on whatever is wrong as we pass by. We simply are not willing to be inconvenienced or to have our own agendas interrupted. Yet the Samaritan in Jesus' parable teaches us that ministry requires us to be willing to make the needs of others our highest priority. Very simply, "he came to him." What are you willing to give up in order to be a servant of Jesus Christ in showing His love to others, even in meeting people at the point of their deepest need?
Ron
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A Samaritan's Need for Compassion
"But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion" (Luke 10:33)
We discovered together in last week's devotional, beloved, that watchfulness in our Christian walk is so very important. Still as we read this wonderful parable of Jesus, it occurs to us that both the priest and the Levite were also "watchful." They had both seen the wounded traveler as they hurried along in pursuit of their own interests. So what set the Samaritan apart from the two of them was that not only had he seen the robbers' victim, but that he had also "felt compassion" for him. It is certainly one thing to see the needs of those around us, beloved, but it is quite another for us to care enough to do something about them.
But what was it that made the Samaritan so different than those who had passed by before him? Much has been written and spoken about the callousness of the priest and the religious narrow-mindedness of the Levite, certainly both observations of human nature that are true. But I do not personally believe that the Samaritan had compassion on the wounded man simply because he was a "better" human being. Recall with me for a moment just what it meant to be a "Samaritan" in Jesus' day. Born of both Jewish and Gentile blood, the Samaritans were a hated people-group, rejected by Hebrews because they had pagan blood and by the Gentiles because they had Jewish blood. They were a people despised and rejected by everyone! Certainly as he came upon the wounded traveler that day, the Samaritan's heart went out to him. He and his people had long been thrown aside and left as useless. Something in his heart reached out to one whom he found to be a man not unlike himself.
How are we as Christians like the Samaritan in Jesus' parable, beloved? How do we relate to his attitude and his actions in ministering to one so unfortunate and in need? We do so by remembering that we are all born into sin, lost to the goodness of God and condemned to an eternity without Him. We recall that as sinners we have no hope in and of ourselves of every changing our true condition before God. We recall that if not for the love and mercy of God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, we would this very day still be in our sins and headed for an eternity of torment apart from the love and mercy of God. We keep ever fresh in our minds the fact that the love of God in Christ has touched us by grace, unworthy though we will ever be, and that we have been adopted into the family of God, that we are eternally loved and accepted "in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). And when we in life come across those "wounded" ones to whom the Spirit of God may lead us, the realization of our own "fallenness" will cause God's love in us to well up and reach out to help. It will be because we are spiritual "Samaritans" that we will love others enough to bring them to the Savior, beloved. As a bumper sticker from some years ago stated so eloquently: "Christians aren't perfect, only forgiven."
To truly care should be the easiest task for a genuine believer, beloved. As we walk through this life in watchfulness, our hearts will reach out to those whom we encounter, ministering to them the love of God in Jesus' name because of His shed blood. To do less leaves us...well, in company with the priest and Levite. Enough said.
Ron
We discovered together in last week's devotional, beloved, that watchfulness in our Christian walk is so very important. Still as we read this wonderful parable of Jesus, it occurs to us that both the priest and the Levite were also "watchful." They had both seen the wounded traveler as they hurried along in pursuit of their own interests. So what set the Samaritan apart from the two of them was that not only had he seen the robbers' victim, but that he had also "felt compassion" for him. It is certainly one thing to see the needs of those around us, beloved, but it is quite another for us to care enough to do something about them.
But what was it that made the Samaritan so different than those who had passed by before him? Much has been written and spoken about the callousness of the priest and the religious narrow-mindedness of the Levite, certainly both observations of human nature that are true. But I do not personally believe that the Samaritan had compassion on the wounded man simply because he was a "better" human being. Recall with me for a moment just what it meant to be a "Samaritan" in Jesus' day. Born of both Jewish and Gentile blood, the Samaritans were a hated people-group, rejected by Hebrews because they had pagan blood and by the Gentiles because they had Jewish blood. They were a people despised and rejected by everyone! Certainly as he came upon the wounded traveler that day, the Samaritan's heart went out to him. He and his people had long been thrown aside and left as useless. Something in his heart reached out to one whom he found to be a man not unlike himself.
How are we as Christians like the Samaritan in Jesus' parable, beloved? How do we relate to his attitude and his actions in ministering to one so unfortunate and in need? We do so by remembering that we are all born into sin, lost to the goodness of God and condemned to an eternity without Him. We recall that as sinners we have no hope in and of ourselves of every changing our true condition before God. We recall that if not for the love and mercy of God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, we would this very day still be in our sins and headed for an eternity of torment apart from the love and mercy of God. We keep ever fresh in our minds the fact that the love of God in Christ has touched us by grace, unworthy though we will ever be, and that we have been adopted into the family of God, that we are eternally loved and accepted "in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). And when we in life come across those "wounded" ones to whom the Spirit of God may lead us, the realization of our own "fallenness" will cause God's love in us to well up and reach out to help. It will be because we are spiritual "Samaritans" that we will love others enough to bring them to the Savior, beloved. As a bumper sticker from some years ago stated so eloquently: "Christians aren't perfect, only forgiven."
To truly care should be the easiest task for a genuine believer, beloved. As we walk through this life in watchfulness, our hearts will reach out to those whom we encounter, ministering to them the love of God in Jesus' name because of His shed blood. To do less leaves us...well, in company with the priest and Levite. Enough said.
Ron
Thursday, January 14, 2010
A Samaritan's Need for Watchfulness
"But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion" (Luke 10:33)
The establishment in recent years of the nation's Department of Homeland Security has become to all of us a constant reminder, beloved, of our need for "watchfulness" as a people! We have enemies who despise our way of life and our form of government and who wish to do us harm. The need to be watchful or alert in our everyday living has never been more important than it is today.
In Jesus' day that very same need existed, especially for travelers making the trip alone down such roads as that one running between Jerusalem and Jericho. The Samaritan in Jesus' parable was certainly no exception. So we find him making his way on his journey and keeping a watchful eye on everything and everyone that he encountered.
It was precisely because of his "watchfulness," beloved, that the Samaritan became aware of the wounded man in the first place. In Jesus' own words as recorded by Luke, the Samaritan traveler was able to help the man because he first "saw him." How easily he might have missed that opportunity had he not been watching because of thoughts preoccupied with coming business opportunities or even just with getting home to his family!
The Apostle Paul tells us as Christians that we need to be just as "watchful" today if we are going to serve Jesus Christ effectively:
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16)
The King James Version translates this same phrase "making the most of your time" as "redeeming" your time or your opportunities. The apostle's thought is that wise believers will watch for and make the most of every opportunity the Spirit of God gives them to minister the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of people. We will be like the Samaritan traveler in Jesus' parable who saw the wounded man and was able to help him because he was alert to everything happening around him.
How tragic should even one precious opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with one person be lost because we were not watchful!
"Mr. Meant-To has a comrade
And his name is Didn't Do;
Have you ever chanced to meet them?
Have they ever called on you?
These two fellows live together
In the house of Never-Win,
And I'm told that house is haunted
By the ghost of Might-Have-Been"
The establishment in recent years of the nation's Department of Homeland Security has become to all of us a constant reminder, beloved, of our need for "watchfulness" as a people! We have enemies who despise our way of life and our form of government and who wish to do us harm. The need to be watchful or alert in our everyday living has never been more important than it is today.
In Jesus' day that very same need existed, especially for travelers making the trip alone down such roads as that one running between Jerusalem and Jericho. The Samaritan in Jesus' parable was certainly no exception. So we find him making his way on his journey and keeping a watchful eye on everything and everyone that he encountered.
It was precisely because of his "watchfulness," beloved, that the Samaritan became aware of the wounded man in the first place. In Jesus' own words as recorded by Luke, the Samaritan traveler was able to help the man because he first "saw him." How easily he might have missed that opportunity had he not been watching because of thoughts preoccupied with coming business opportunities or even just with getting home to his family!
The Apostle Paul tells us as Christians that we need to be just as "watchful" today if we are going to serve Jesus Christ effectively:
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16)
The King James Version translates this same phrase "making the most of your time" as "redeeming" your time or your opportunities. The apostle's thought is that wise believers will watch for and make the most of every opportunity the Spirit of God gives them to minister the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of people. We will be like the Samaritan traveler in Jesus' parable who saw the wounded man and was able to help him because he was alert to everything happening around him.
How tragic should even one precious opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with one person be lost because we were not watchful!
"Mr. Meant-To has a comrade
And his name is Didn't Do;
Have you ever chanced to meet them?
Have they ever called on you?
These two fellows live together
In the house of Never-Win,
And I'm told that house is haunted
By the ghost of Might-Have-Been"
Ron
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Samaritan in All of Us
"But behold a certain lawyer stood up and put Him to the test...'But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him'" (Luke 10:25a, 33a)
Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan is without a doubt one of the most well-known and even popular illustrations of biblical truth in all the ministry of our Lord, beloved! Few people have not been exposed to it either in sermon form or Sunday school lesson or Bible study notes of some kind somewhere. And it is that very same parabolic passage to which I invite you to turn with me for the next several weeks as we take a closer look at a number of powerful lessons for living.
In this edition of "Gleanings," however, I would like for us to focus our attention upon the characters in the actual group surrounding Jesus that day as well as upon those the Master chose for His parable with which He answered the question put to Him. Specifically, I want to point out the contrast between the lawyer and Jesus which parallels the contrast between the priest and Levite and the Samaritan traveler of Jesus' story.
Note first, then, the contrast between the lawyer who asked the question and Jesus who answered it. The lawyer was an acknowledged "expert" in the laws of Judaism, a man who in his own estimation stood head and shoulders religiously above the rest of the Hebrew population. He demanded respect and even curried special favor wherever he went and was probably accustomed to getting it. And as he put his question to the Nazarene that day, he likely did so with the attitude of one with a Doctor of Divinity in biblical law asking a question of a first-year Bible college student!
On the other hand, Jesus was not religiously his equal, not according to the structure of Judaism nor even of Hebrew society. He had been born into a humble home, raised to work with His hands, and had only recently come into the spotlight as a teacher of spiritual truth. He was not of the tribe of Levi, so had no standing among the then religious elite of Israel. He was to them just a "carpenter turned preacher" with a ragtag following of common ordinary people. He was to them a nuisance to be brushed aside as one would a gnat or mosquito.
Isn't it interesting, then, that in Jesus' parable, as He sought to explain eternal truth to the lawyer and other listeners that day, the "hero" of His story would be a Samaritan? No people-group of that day were more despised and rejected than the Samaritans! The Jews called them "dogs" because of their pagan blood and the Gentiles cursed them because they were half-Hebrew. Yet it was a Samaritan whom Jesus chose to be the one who would reach out and minister to the wounded traveler in His illustration.
And it will be the "Samaritan" in us that will qualify us to serve the needs of others in Jesus' name today, beloved. You see, the Samaritan knew what it was to suffer - to be hated, ill-treated and rejected. And today you and I who are followers of Jesus Christ are those who are most aware of where we were in our sins when Jesus came along and met our needs in love and mercy. It will be those who have been rescued who are enabled to become rescuers of others! Until we can see and appreciate fully the working of God's grace in our own lives, we will never care enough to stop alongside the road of life and help those fallen and cast aside whom Jesus loves. We will likely just look upon them, at most say that "someone ought to do something," and then just pass on by.
So I appeal to the "Samaritan" in you, beloved, as we begin this series of devotionals together. What has Jesus done for you in your journey through life? If He has rescued you by His grace and transformed your life by the power of His shed blood, then you are eligible to become one who rescues in His name. If we are truly saved, then there ought to be something of the Samaritan in each one of us!
Ron
Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan is without a doubt one of the most well-known and even popular illustrations of biblical truth in all the ministry of our Lord, beloved! Few people have not been exposed to it either in sermon form or Sunday school lesson or Bible study notes of some kind somewhere. And it is that very same parabolic passage to which I invite you to turn with me for the next several weeks as we take a closer look at a number of powerful lessons for living.
In this edition of "Gleanings," however, I would like for us to focus our attention upon the characters in the actual group surrounding Jesus that day as well as upon those the Master chose for His parable with which He answered the question put to Him. Specifically, I want to point out the contrast between the lawyer and Jesus which parallels the contrast between the priest and Levite and the Samaritan traveler of Jesus' story.
Note first, then, the contrast between the lawyer who asked the question and Jesus who answered it. The lawyer was an acknowledged "expert" in the laws of Judaism, a man who in his own estimation stood head and shoulders religiously above the rest of the Hebrew population. He demanded respect and even curried special favor wherever he went and was probably accustomed to getting it. And as he put his question to the Nazarene that day, he likely did so with the attitude of one with a Doctor of Divinity in biblical law asking a question of a first-year Bible college student!
On the other hand, Jesus was not religiously his equal, not according to the structure of Judaism nor even of Hebrew society. He had been born into a humble home, raised to work with His hands, and had only recently come into the spotlight as a teacher of spiritual truth. He was not of the tribe of Levi, so had no standing among the then religious elite of Israel. He was to them just a "carpenter turned preacher" with a ragtag following of common ordinary people. He was to them a nuisance to be brushed aside as one would a gnat or mosquito.
Isn't it interesting, then, that in Jesus' parable, as He sought to explain eternal truth to the lawyer and other listeners that day, the "hero" of His story would be a Samaritan? No people-group of that day were more despised and rejected than the Samaritans! The Jews called them "dogs" because of their pagan blood and the Gentiles cursed them because they were half-Hebrew. Yet it was a Samaritan whom Jesus chose to be the one who would reach out and minister to the wounded traveler in His illustration.
And it will be the "Samaritan" in us that will qualify us to serve the needs of others in Jesus' name today, beloved. You see, the Samaritan knew what it was to suffer - to be hated, ill-treated and rejected. And today you and I who are followers of Jesus Christ are those who are most aware of where we were in our sins when Jesus came along and met our needs in love and mercy. It will be those who have been rescued who are enabled to become rescuers of others! Until we can see and appreciate fully the working of God's grace in our own lives, we will never care enough to stop alongside the road of life and help those fallen and cast aside whom Jesus loves. We will likely just look upon them, at most say that "someone ought to do something," and then just pass on by.
So I appeal to the "Samaritan" in you, beloved, as we begin this series of devotionals together. What has Jesus done for you in your journey through life? If He has rescued you by His grace and transformed your life by the power of His shed blood, then you are eligible to become one who rescues in His name. If we are truly saved, then there ought to be something of the Samaritan in each one of us!
Ron
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)