Luke 10:30-37 Seize the Opportunity to Serve 1929 words
This parable tells us we can treat people in at least 3 different ways.
(1) Like the robbers, sees a person as a prey. They are out to gain something from him.
(2) Like the priest and the Levite, see the person as a trouble to avoid. He is a baggage they do not want to carry.
(3) Like the Samaritan man, seeing the person as someone he can help. He sees it as an opportunity to minister.
(1) The robbers saw the person as a prey.
Their attitude was: WHAT IS YOURS IS MINE, and I can take it from you.
They were driven by greed.
When the robbers saw a man – they robbed him, “stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away leaving him half dead.” (v.30) Whether he lives or dies is not their concern. They got what they want from him. His life is of little value to them, except what they can get out of it.
It’s like a child. Someone’s once said a child’s property law goes like this:
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.
8. If I think it’s mine, it’s mine.
9. If it’s yours and I steal it, it’s mine.
In a competitive society like ours, we can easily end up with such an attitude. We always ask, “What am I getting out of this?” If I get nothing out of it, I’m not going to do it.
We want to gain something in everything we do. And sometimes, we even seek to make a profit at someone else’s expense. We take advantage of situations and people, so that we can get the most out of it.
Of course, we do not go to the extent of robbing someone, but our action sometimes does reveal that we care only for ourselves. It really doesn’t matter if the person lives or dies, as long as I am doing fine and getting what I want from life.
(2) The religious men saw the person as a trouble to avoid.
Their attitude was: WHAT’S MINE IS MINE, and I will keep it from you.
They were driven by selfishness.
Both of them – the priest and the Levite - “passed by on the other side.” (v.31, 32)
They were in a hurry to do their work at the temple. They would not want to touch the unclean, or to care for someone who might just die in their arms. According to the Jewish law (Num 19:11), “He who touches a dead man is unclean for seven days.” It would be too troublesome. It would delay their journey or hinder their work.
Do we see people as trouble to avoid? Are there times we choose to close our eyes to them, and just walk pass on the other side? Because to stop and help, we will have to give up something important to us – like our time, our resources, or our convenience.
Charles Swindoll says in The Quest for Character: Rare indeed are those people who give of themselves with little regard for recognition, personal benefit, or monetary returns. For some reason we are slowly eroding into a people that gauges every request for involvement from the viewpoint - What do I get out of it? How can I get the most for the least?
How do we overcome that – to see beyond ourselves and care for others? One way is to remind ourselves that all we have comes from God. It is by His grace that we are doing well today.
Hummingbird War
Jay E. Adams writes that under the roof in his backyard hangs a hummingbird feeder that he keeps filled with sugar water. There are four openings in it from which birds may suck the nectar. Yet, day after day, from early morning until after dusk, the feeder is the source of the birds’ war - one bird chases all the others away.
"As I said," Adams writes, "there is room for four birds at a time, and fully that number attempt to feed. But the stronger one, who now ’owns’ the feeder, will not let them. All day long he sits on the branch of a nearby tree guarding ’his’ feeder and defying others to transgress on what he has established as ’his’ territory.
"This ongoing slice of life confronts us throughout the day as the war rages on – the hummers streak across the yard, the king hummer in hot pursuit of an intruder; and while the chase is on, others sneak a sip or two, only to be driven off when he returns.
This is the lesson we learn: "I bought the feeder; I supply the sugar water. The birds do not earn it; they receive it all by grace. Yet, day after day, they fight over who may enjoy it.
“How like the people of God! All we have or are that is worthwhile is the gift of God’s pure grace. And yet we are proud, self-centered, envious, and quarrelsome. Often we fight over God’s good gifts rather than expressing our gratitude in humility and sharing what we have been given with others. Just as I am confronted daily with rivalry in my yard, even so God is confronted daily with rivalry in His."
The world teaches us Cain’s philosophy of life: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9)
The Lord’s answer is YES, you are!
We are put on earth to make a contribution, not to consume resources. God wants us to love Him by loving people, serve Him by serving people. Many best-selling books offer advice on how to GET the most out of life, but that’s not the reason God made us. We are created to ADD to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants us to give something back.
Eph 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
(3) The Samaritan man saw in the person an opportunity to help.
His attitude was: WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS and I will share it with you.
He was driven by compassion.
Compassion moved him to help the needy man. Even though the victim was a Jew and there was a long-standing racial prejudice between them. Yet that didn’t stop him. You see, a truly caring spirit goes beyond race, prejudice, religion or status. It sees the preciousness of a human soul (life). It comes from the heart.
This Samaritan was not trained in ministry, like the priest or Levite. He probably knows little about the Law or what the Scriptures say, unlike the priest or Levite. Yet he did what was right. You see, it doesn’t matter how much you know. The important thing is: Are you doing what you know?
That is why Jesus said it twice, to this expert of the Law who came to Him. He said before telling this parable, in verse 25, “Do this and you will live.” And then after telling the story, He said again at the end, “Go and do likewise.” (v.27)
We do not want to be caught as those who know the Scriptures but yet not living it. This Samaritan was probably not any richer than the priest or Levite – yet he gave his possessions freely, offering his oil, his wine, and his money. He put the man on his own donkey, and had to walk to the inn. His care was not half-hearted but complete – he said he would reimburse the innkeeper for any extra expense that was necessary to help this man recover. He assumes responsibility for the welfare of this man, whom he did not even know. Actually, he need not even have to return.
The fact that he has to go – “Look after him, and when I return…” (v.35) – give us a clue that he must have something to attend to. Just like the priest or Levite. Yet compassion demands that he stop and help this man.
All of us need the Samaritan’s view of life. We are “our brother’s keeper.” No one is less important than us. We all have something to offer because God has given us something to give. Jesus wants us to “go and do likewise” - be a good Samaritan and practice the love of God. This starts with a compassionate heart. It involves a willingness to sacrifice.
What is mine is God’s, so let us share it. In fact, all of mine is God’s.
The Six-Inch Nail
At one time at the City Temple in London, there was in the congregation a wealthy restaurateur named Emil Mettler. Mettler would often do not allow a Christian worker to pay for a meal in his restaurant. Once he happened to open his cash register in the presence of a Secretary of the London Missionary Society and the Secretary was astonished to see among the bills and coins a six-inch nail.
“What was it doing there?”
Mettler explained, "I keep this nail with my money to remind me of the price that Christ paid for my salvation and of what I owe Him in return."
CONCLUSION
God has placed in our lives people to whom we are called to minister and help, people who needs us.
Jesus himself is a good Samaritan – when He saw the misery of mankind under the power of sin and death, He did not remain on his heavenly throne but came down to this world to live among us. He made time for us, heal the sick, strengthen the weak and encourage those without hope. In order to heal us completely, He had to die on the cross. He came to bring life.
He revealed and demonstrated the principles of life. He clearly taught that life is not to be found in living for self, but rather in GIVING OF SELF in the service of God and others! Today Jesus still stops for each of us. The same way He stopped for Zaccheaus; the same way He stopped for the sick woman who touched His clothes. He is our friend in the time of need.
Think of the people you come across every day. Would you stop for them?
I believe there are those who are beaten and hurting, not on the outside physically, but in their hearts.
Have you seen them? Can we be a good Samaritan and really stop and care?
I am sure there is not one sitting here today that does not need a helping hand, in some way, at some time, over some issues in life. We may not be able to help with all of them, but I can say this with confidence – there is One who can help you with all of it! Your Saviour is Jesus. He knows where you are and what the issue is in your life. Open your heart to him, and receive Him into your life as Lord and Saviour. No matter how beaten you are, you will experience His healing touch and you will find yourself waking up to a new life and a new beginning. Put your trust in Jesus Christ today.
