Posts
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
