Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we gather together to engage with a powerful parable from the Gospel of Luke, a story that speaks volumes about the compassion of Christ, the desperate needs of our fellow human beings, and the call to take action.

In the words of the great Christian author, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself." This speaks to our responsibility, not just to help those in need, but to actively work towards creating a world where such needs no longer exist.

The Compassion of Christ

The Compassion of Christ is a theme that is not just about empathy or kindness, but about a deep, self-sacrificing love that seeks the good of others above oneself. This is the kind of compassion that Jesus demonstrated throughout His life and ministry, and it is the kind of compassion that He calls us to emulate.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, we see a vivid illustration of Christ's compassion. The Samaritan, who represents Christ, does not just see the wounded man and feel sorry for him. He takes action. He bandages the man's wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care. This is a costly compassion, one that requires sacrifice and inconvenience. It is not a passive feeling, but an active, practical love.

This is the compassion of Christ. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the brokenhearted. He does not just feel sorry for people in their suffering; He does something about it. He enters into their pain, takes it upon Himself, and brings healing and restoration. This is the kind of compassion that led Him to the cross, where He gave His life for our sins.

But Christ's compassion is not just about what He does; it's also about how He sees. In the parable, the Samaritan sees the wounded man not as a burden or an inconvenience, but as a neighbor, a fellow human being in need. This is how Jesus sees us. He sees us not as sinners to be condemned, but as lost sheep to be found, as broken people to be healed. He sees us in our need, in our pain, in our sin, and He has compassion on us.

And this compassion is not just for the select few, but for all. In the parable, the Samaritan helps a man who is likely a Jew, a member of a group that Samaritans were traditionally hostile towards. This shows that Christ's compassion is not limited by race, religion, or social status. It is for everyone, regardless of who they are or what they have done. This is the universal, inclusive compassion of Christ.

The Need of Others

As we delve into the second point of this sermon, we are drawn to the stark reality of the needs of others ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO