In Luke 10:25-37 we read the parable of the Good Samaritan. It begins with a lawyer testing Jesus by asking Him what he should do to inherit eternal life.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself”. But the lawyer, wanting to justify himself asked “And who is my neighbour?”

• That’s the real question: “Who is my neighbour”??

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho”; just a certain man; could be anybody; good or bad; believer or non- believer; just a certain man. This man was attacked by thieves and left naked, wounded, and half dead.

Both the priest and the Levite passed by on the other side of the road when they saw him. The religious people of the day didn’t want to get involved. Maybe they were too busy; maybe they were in a hurry to get somewhere; maybe they thought it might cost them something; maybe they just didn’t care........??

It’s interesting that Jesus put the focus on the Samaritan as the one who stopped to help. There was open hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans in that day. Yet here is Jesus commending a Samaritan rather than a priest or a Levite. He was the one out of the three who was the true neighbour to the victim, by showing mercy to him.

• His actions proved him to be the good neighbour.

• The victim became his first priority, rather than what he had planned for the rest of the day.

• Love knows no boundaries of nationality, race, gender, age, or beliefs.

Are we caring for hurting people, or do we leave it to somebody else? Are we aware that there are wounded people, even in the church; some naked in shame, some bleeding internally from hurts of the past? Some too afraid to speak out in case they are criticised or judged? Do we take the time to listen, really listen, when they need somebody to understand them?

This Samaritan poured oil and wine on the wounds and bandaged him. He had in his possession the medicinal items necessary to start the healing process in the victim. Do we have the oil of the Holy Spirit flowing through our lives, a word in season to start the healing process, to bind up the broken-hearted? Or are we quick to judge and come up with some formalised charismatic cliché?  

Not only did he begin the healing process there, but he brought him to an inn, and took care of him and provided money to the innkeeper. Love doesn’t give up. It’s a commitment to follow through.  

Lastly - Do we love ourselves? Do we see ourselves as Jesus sees us? Have we got a right image of ourselves? If not, maybe we need to look in the mirror a bit more often and for longer periods of time – the mirror of His Word that is! ~ Lily Sinke.  (www.evangeliaministries.com

Please Pray This Prayer:

“Dear God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I ask You to help me to have a more compassionate heart toward those who are afflicted, wounded and desperately needy. Help me to be humble enough to listen to You, to recognize You, and to be servant-hearted enough to respond to You in faith and obey what You say to me. Help me to not be too busy to be the Good Samaritan to those who need me. I really do want to do Your will, and to be an effective and fruitful minister of Your Supernatural Gospel in my day and generation. I desire to fulfil Your vision for my life, and share your loving heart with others! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. Amen."

 The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, , New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.