Monday after the Ninth Sunday after Trinity, 8/21/00

Luke 10: 33-35 But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you." --NASB

In the name of the One Who had compassion on all of us, amen.

Remember the kid who picked on you in school? Or the coworker who was always saying nasty things about you behind your back? If you saw him or her stranded on the side of the road, would you bother to stop and help? Or would you think, "Ahh, it serves him right!" and pass by? Our passage for today is from the parable of the Good Samaritan. That nameless Samaritan has been honored by us in the naming of hospitals, and he has become the symbol of virtue. He put his own life in danger by stopping to help his enemy. Not only that, he went the extra mile to provide for everything the man needed. But it is not easy for us to follow his example. We most often fall far short of his virtue.

Some of the Church fathers saw the Good Samaritan as a picture of Christ. After all, Christ Jesus saved us when self righteousness, and empty religion left us for dead. And Christ Jesus helped us when we were his enemies. Then, when Jesus continued on His journey, He left "innkeepers" to care for us until he would return and give what was lacking-a glorified body that would not ever suffer sin, death, or disease.

This week we are looking at charity, and as we look at charity we remember that our example is in Christ who gave us real charity. He gave His own body and blood to save us, and anointed us with the oil of the Holy Spirit. Christ gave us real treasure, and when we see the value of that treasure, it is easy for us, in fact it is joyful for us to give our material treasures to help others-even our enemies. Amen.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, you had compassion on us even when we hated You. Thank You for the salvation You brought to us. Encourage us by Your Holy Spirit to help others as You helped us, amen.

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