A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good
Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She
described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the
drama.
Then she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on
the roadside all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"
A
thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence. "I think I'd throw up!"
I have to confess that the parable of the Good Samaritan is one of
my least favorite parables. You may be thinking: "It's a beautiful story
that teaches a strong lesson. What's there not to like?" But therein
lies the problem. It teaches a very strong lesson and one that I can't
escape. There's no way to explain this parable away, no way to come up
with any fanciful interpretations that soothe my conscience.
Every time I read this parable, I realize my shortcomings in the area of
meeting the needs of those around me. And the fact that I can relate so
well to the priest and the Levite in the story leaves me squirming in my
seat. Perhaps you understand what I mean. Allow the words of Jesus to
pierce your heart once again:
"But he, wanting to justify
himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' Then Jesus answered
and said: 'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell
among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and
departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came
down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and
passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,
came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to
him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on
his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next
day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the
innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever more you
spend, when I come again, I will repay you." So which of these three do
you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?' And he said,
'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do
likewise.'" (Luke 10:29-37)
"Father, in a world where I am
surrounded by pain and suffering, it is so easy to turn my head and shut
my eyes. Please forgive me of the times when I have done just that.
Lord, open my eyes and my heart to those in need. In Jesus' name, amen."
Alan Smith
Innisfil, ON, Canada
