Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’^c ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^d ”

28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii^e and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

After church to day, mom and I went to Pastor Kathy's Sunday School Class.  We don't always do this because we have our own Sunday School Class.  Today no one in our class was there.  They probably all have the flu.  It's pretty much an epidemic around here.

Pastor Kathy started out with claiming that Valentine's Day was a made up "Hallmark" holiday.  Matt seconded her motion, and we mostly agreed.  That being said, we began our lesson about LOVE and the Good Samaritan.

We discussed who would be the priests of today, or the Levites, or the Samaritan.  We decided that the priests would be the church leaders, pastors, and of course, priests.  The Levites would be the bible study leaders, the Sunday School teachers, and the deacons.  Now we know that we are called to be the Samaritan.

The discussion turned to who and how should we be helping our neighbor; the homeless, the poor, the mentally and physically disabled.  How can we know if they are truly in need or just taking advantage of the system.  

This is always a tough call.  I've seen the people standing on the street with signs asking for money.  I've been down to Pittsburgh where the homeless come for a meal and a clean pair of socks, I have given money to these people and I will never know what they did with it.  I think we should listen to our heart. If that little voice is nudging you to give, give and you will be blessed regardless of what the outcome is.  

Father God, help me to share what I have with those in need.  Let me be wise and show mercy when You give me opportunities.  In Jesus' name I ask this.  Amen.