Oh, the Humanity

A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable.
Luke 10:33-34 The Message

Just about everyone knows the parable of the Good Samaritan or at least has heard something about it. Always, it's about being a good neighbor, being someone who will help another, but I missed the main point. Today, I heard it taught in a way I'd never heard before and I want to share it with you. Let me set it up for you. 

Our church recently went to 3 services on Sunday morning. Pastor Alan jokingly referred to the earliest service as the "old folks" service - those of us who have attended church for a long time. This morning, he asked if we attend church simply because that's "what we do" on Sunday or because we want to come together to worship the King of kings, our Lord and Savior? Are we choosing church attendance for religious reasons or for deepening our relationship with Jesus? Then he referred back to the parable.

Verses 30-32, Jesus speaking, There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

I never understood why the priest and the Levite couldn't be bothered to help the man who had been beaten and robbed and left half-dead. They were, after all, religious men. As it turns out, that is precisely why they didn't help him. Both of them were about their religious duties, bound by Jewish laws. If they had touched that man, by law, they would have been considered unclean and unable to enter the Temple to perform their duties. 

However, Jesus came to Earth to set men free, but they couldn't hear Him. The priest and the Levite missed the humanity of the situation because of religion. Do we do the same?

Do we not care for someone because of their political views? Do we not speak to someone because they don't believe the way we do or act like us? Do we miss their humanity because of religion? Jesus is not about religion. God looks on the heart.

Prayer:

Father,

         Change our hearts, O God! Make us ever mindful to extend Your love and grace to all in all we do. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen