“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. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 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. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] 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.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10.30-37
I bet it was a shocking story to hear Jesus insult the Priest and the Levite! This is one reason they put Him to death—He had no respect for their false religiosity. When He told this made-up parable that shed the Jews in a poor light but elevated the half-breed Samaritan, can you imagine the uproar? And to make matters worse, the man asking the question was a Jewish religious leader! A so-called “expert in the law.” (Talk about being humbled.)
But Jesus makes a great point—our religious practices are not what saves us. Our appearance of godliness is not good enough. We must walk out our faith in action and not merely in words. The religious leaders looked good on the outside, but when it was time to reach out to a hurting “unclean” soul, they avoided it at all costs. They were shamed by the Samaritan who took time, spent money, and met the needs of the hurting. Can we do any less?
You and I have both heard the story of the Good Samaritan many times over. And yet, I still pass the homeless on the side of the road. I have mercy but not enough faith to stop. Am I too busy to see the people God puts in my way? How can we position ourselves to not merely believe the Gospel but to act it out?
If we only have the appearance of holiness but not the ability to act it out, what good are we for the Kingdom? In the beginning of this interaction, right before this parable, the religious leader comes to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This is part of the “doing.” The loving, the caring, the sharing of the Gospel in word and deed to the least, the last, and the lost.
God is not finished with you. Be His hands and feet. Allow the love of Christ to so fill your life that you are led by His Holy Spirit. By His grace and for His glory.
“O Lord God, you are good and faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power. Help me walk according to your ways so I might receive abundant life today and eternal life to come. I praise you, Lord, and glorify your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen.