Go and do likewise

Luke 10:36-37(NIV)

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

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

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise”.

Interesting fact:

30 percent of our house members and 51 percent of senators have lawyers degrees and have practiced law.

Unfortunately we can’t just depend on our governments, our governments should do their part, but we must help ourselves also.

Pray for all those leaders around the world who oppress and manipulate people, that they will change, or God and our vote will remove them.

This gentleman was an expert at law but had to be taught mercy and compassion.

There is always a discussion in whether Jesus was a Liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican.

Even in Christianity, there is a question on what denomination Jesus would be part of.

Jesus political party and religion involves us having compassion on people and helping them.

In this parable is the story of a Jewish man who fell on hard times and a Samaritan who the Jews had animosity towards, and the Samaritans had animosity towards the Jews.

The Samaritans were mixed and had pagan practices.

Obviously, some Samaritan didn’t lose their compassion, that’s why we can’t generalized everyone because of their religious or political beliefs.

V. 31 Says the priest passed by the man and looked on him.

My imagination:

The priest probably said that is what happens when you don’t go to church or believe like we do.

V. 32 Says a Levite passed by the man and looked on him.

My imagination:

The Levite probably said that is what happens when you do not pray, fast, or read your Bible. you should not have been in this neighborhood.

V. 33 Says the Samaritan came where he was and saw his condition and had compassion on him.

My Imagination:

The Samaritan probably said, “We Samaritans don’t like the Jewish people, and the Jewish people don’t like us.

But I can’t see this man in that condition and not do anything.

This Samaritan must have had wealth because he bandaged up his wounds and put him on his animal, and took him to an inn.

He paid for everything and told the attendant to charge him for any other expenses.

Some takeaways:

1. There is no indication that the Samaritan tried to convert the Jewish man to his religion, or the Jewish man tried to convert the Samaritan to his religion.

2. The Samaritan didn’t care what religious or political affiliation the Jewish man was.

3. The Jewish man received help from the Samaritan. He was not too prideful.

4. The Priest and Levite who passed by the Jewish man where Jewish, and they did not help him. Help can come from unlikely places.

The moral of the story:

Let’s not lose compassion for each other.

it doesn’t mean we have to stop and help everyone, we must use wisdom and stay as safe as possible.

But if we have the opportunity and means to help someone who has fallen on hard times, we should.

Helping others is not just material help. We can pray for others and encourage others who may not agree with us.

Jesus encouraged us to pray for our enemies.

There used to be a saying or acronym years back, WWJD, What Would Jesus Do.

Jesus would have compassion on others, even those who opposed him, with love and compassion.

Go and do likewise.