The Good Samaritan

One of my favourite parables in the bible is that of the Good Samaritan. I read it again today. It has so much relevance to our lives today but we don't take it seriously enough. First, the priest saw the injured man and crossed to the other side of the street! Secondly, a Levite (someone of higher status) also saw the half-dead man and did exactly the same thing! He totally ignored him and worse still, crossed to the other side. And lastly, a Samaritan (someone who was despised in society) saw the injured man, took him on his donkey, booked him into a motel, took care of him all night and even gave money to the motel owner to take care of the injured man.

I love it that Jesus places utmost importance in mercy and compassion. He doesn't care about social status, money, power and all that. He cares about the weak, the sick, the needy, the oppressed and those whose voices don't matter in society. He cares about abused women, children, the disabled, the old and the broken. And He reminded me today that we should not only have compassion on people only when its convenient, because sometimes we have to go out of our way to show mercy to others.

I have to confess that Christians can become hypocrites and only care when it suits us or when we want to impress people. Let's remember that Jesus loved unconditionally and sincerely. And He loved everyone regardless of race, religion, age or gender. And that's why I love Jesus so much.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:33