Bandages, Oil and Wine

“Parable: Good Samaritan”

Luke 10: 30-35

Jesus tells this parable in response to a simple question, “Who is my neighbour?”

A man is travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and falls into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away leaving him half dead. A priest and a Levite pass him by on the other side after seeing him. A Samaritan came where the man was and when he saw him he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He put the man on his own donkey took him to an inn and took care of him The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him and when I return I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.

            Today’s headlines reflect this kind of story on a regular basis. Muggings, murders, death in the streets of many urban settings occur day and night. But what is different in this story is that the priest and the Levite people who are supposed to help people because of what they do and who they are, walked by on the other side. It is a man of a different background, a Samaritan, who sees the situation and responds as he is able- with bandages, oil and wine and a place for the man to rest. Why did the priest and Levite walk by? Were they already going to help others and could not or were unable to get involved? Yet it is the Samaritan who has compassion which sets him apart to care for the injured man.. And he is committed to doing so- he needs to make sure the injured man is looked after and those who will care for him will be compensated as he goes about his business.

            Who is the neighbour in this story? The neighbour is the one who had mercy on the injured man.

To whom do you show mercy? How regular is this that you do this- that is help out another person in need? Does showing mercy affect your ability to do your everyday routine? Should it?

PRAYER:

Wonderful God we praise you for the ability to reach out to all our neighbours who are in need. Help us O God to show compassion, care and commitment as we reach out to others in love like the Samaritan of this story did. Enable us we pray to share this love with all whom we meet. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Quotes from  Gary Inrig, “The Parables: Understanding What Jesus Meant” 1991.

BLOG QUESTION:

The Good Samaritan is a parable that is often shared because of the act of love offered by one who was not suppose to respond because of their place in that society. So many times we see and hear stories of people whose plights are ignored by passers-by. We live in a world drowning in human needs. But we must ask are their limits to my love? How far does my responsibility go? Who is not my neighbour? How much is too much care in light of the number of people who experience ‘compassion fatigue’ where many burn out because they carry around the hurts of others by caring for them?