Can we be Good Samaritans?

A Good Samaritan rescued our beloved cat with whom we shared our lives for over 11 years.

This Good Samaritan found her roaming the streets and brought her to an animal shelter.

We don't know why she was either abandoned or became lost and homeless.

But this Good Samaritan's actions enabled us two weeks later at the animal shelter to be adopted by this cat (yes, it happened this way) and we accepted her adoption with delight.

We cherished her with our whole hearts.

She changed our lives for the better.

What is a Good Samaritan?

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus took up this question and said,

"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

So too, when a Levite [another religious minister] came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.

But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion.

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

The next day he took out two denarii [2 days' wages] and gave them to the innkeeper.

'Take care of him,' he said, 'and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.'

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

"The one who showed him mercy," replied the expert in the law.

Then Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:29-37

Could we be an instrument of the Lord's righteousness Romans 6:13 to help rescue PEOPLE (and maybe animals, too) who have been deserted or hurt by others?

A famous politician was quoted as saying to the effect that if the Good Samaritan didn't have any money, they wouldn't have been able to help as they did.

A seminary that trained ministers conducted an experiment.

They had 3 people who pretended to be homeless and in need of food stationed at 3 places where these seminary students walked to attend a certain class.

Every future minister walked past these 3 WITHOUT stopping to say anything nor offering to help them obtain housing or food.

The students were headed to a class where the homework assignment was on the Good Samaritan and HOW those in need could be assisted today.

How could WE become part of an answer to someone's prayer if they're in need?

Are they sick?

Are they homeless?

Are they in need of the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior?

Are they wounded in their spiritual hearts?

How much time, energy, or money and other possessions are we willing to spend to be a Good Samaritan to them?

Are homeless people scary? Sometimes.

Are the unemployed and working POOR sometimes hard to spot when living our lives? They can be.

Are there various ways to help people spirit, soul, and body 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 from a New Testament perspective?

What would Jesus do? 1 Peter 2:20-25

Does Jesus want us to share His good news of total salvation with everyone Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8 including the poor in any realm? Luke 4:18-19; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 3 John v.2

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

The Good Samaritan had an approach --

He had compassion. Luke 10:33

[See people through the eyes of the Savior Who came to seek and save the lost. Mark 10:21; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15]

He poured on olive oil and wine. Luke 10:34

[Do what is needed to stop "infection" and start the healing process. John 4:49-53]

He put the wounded man on his animal to carry him to a hotel and cared for him there. Luke 10:34

[To assist, we may have to spend time and energy, and use possessions like our vehicle. Colossians 1:28-29]

He gave money to the hotel clerk to take care of the man and promised to pay the clerk back when he returned if more had to be spent. Luke 10:35

[Money well spent could be to support organizations that already have a system to help the homeless and poor financially. Wisdom is the principal need Proverbs 4:7 so that long-term solutions can be implemented for those left "half-dead" by life.] Luke 10:30

Here's something else to think about --

It was a Samaritan who helped the robbed and injured man.

To the Jews in New Testament times, they did NOT want to have anything to do with Samaritans. John 4:9

The Jews considered Samaritans to be bad people as religious leaders accused Jesus of being one.

The Jews answered Him, "Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?" John 8:48

Some Bible translations or their notes will say that Samaritans were foreigners.

When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice.

He fell facedown at Jesus' feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.

"Were not all ten cleansed?" Jesus asked.

"Where then are the other nine?

Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?" Luke 17:15-17

Examples of right living can sometimes impact us more when they come from the least expected.

Shall we go and do likewise? Luke 10:37

Your thoughts?

R. Jason