What were they doing on the side of the road anyway? Those people in that earthquake worship the devil. They surely got what they deserved. The godless idol worshipers caught in the tsunami were sinners damned by God. Why were those kids out late at night? Why don’t those people take better care of their bodies? They all have it coming, including the alcoholic, the murderers, child abusers, sexual perverts, prostitutes, illegal aliens, terrorists and the whole lot can go to hell before they expect any help from me. They should not be on the side of the road. I stepped over them. Leave them alone as road kill, in the wrong place at the wrong time. They should know better!
The fascinating thing about Jesus and the parable of The Good Samaritan is that the Savior never explains why the man chose to travel on a dangerous road all by himself. Apparently it was known as a bad place. Jesus, however, focused on the response of the ‘good people’ who happened to pass the injured man.
Too often in my work I find myself judging the people I am called to serve. In fact, it is easier to judge than help. It is a good delaying tactic that if played out well, offers me plenty of reasons to ignore and even avoid the call to serve people whom I find unworthy of my time or touch. The disciples asked Christ questions like ‘who sinned that this man was born blind; and how do you expect us to find food for so many people; and shall we call down fire from heaven to destroy this town?’ These all seem like valid questions especially when people are interfering with my agenda. The disciples were human as I. It seems so easy to ask God for forgiveness for people I know and understand, or feel worthy of my presence. But those people who rub me the wrong way can just wait to answer questions about the sin of their parents, go hungry, or burn in hell
So why was this man floundering on the side of the road? And if God does not have a good answer for that question, should I be obligated to help him? When I look at this objectively, Christ did not ask me why I was on the side of the road. He bent down, forgave me, and said; ‘go and sin no more!’
This parable refers not only to the least of these, but also the least worthy these. I must confess that like Paul I am amongst the least worthy of all.
If are you like me; one of the ‘good people’ do you find yourself blaming or bandaging?
Are you bending down, bathing, applying balms, or standing over accusing?
World Gospel Mission compassionate ministries offer all of us a chance to meet people’s needs in Christ’s name, not because they deserve His love. It is because they like us, don’t deserve it. God loved us and redeemed us while we were yet sinners, in sin. We were all road kill. Christ would never pass up a chance for compassion. Neither should we.
Lu 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.
Lu 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Mark 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man ssatisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.