Good Samaritans

Ron Writes

The world is a dangerous place. At the end of Acts Paul endures a terrible storm, is shipwrecked and then he’s bitten by a poisonous snake. He was under armed guard because he had been falsely accused and was awaiting trial. Life is unfair. Why did all this happen to Paul? Because we live in a broken, fallen world. It’s not hard to find those who need some compassion.

Jesus told a story of a man who had fallen among thieves. He was beaten, robbed and left for dead. A priest and a Levite walked right by the broken man. They saw a nameless man down on his luck. But one man didn’t. Why?

Compassion

It’s says he felt compassion. It was more than mere pity. It’s even different than love. He was moved by the pain of another. He saw the man differently. He saw him as a person. Someone with a name, a family, talents and a story. What a different world if everyone started to see strangers as people with names and a history.  

Compassion led to action. Every word enhances our understanding of compassion. He “came to him,” “bandaged,” “poured,” “put him on his beast,” “brought him,” “took care of him” and promised to “repay.” The words that describe the priest and Levite are passive words, “saw” and “passed.” It’s easy to be passive, but compassion compels us to action.  

Ever see a victim like this? Stripped, beaten and dying? Maybe not. But we pass by broken people all the time. Some are lonely, hurting, seeking, lost. See them as more than strangers, but as people who deserve our compassion. Go and do likewise.