Go and Do Likewise

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37 

Whenever I read the story of the Good Samaritan, I think of my Sunday School growing up. I can still see the flannel board, the classroom, and my friends wanting to help tell the story. We all love to tell stories we know well and to be part of the righteous action. It is harder to admit that we walk by folks all the time who are in desparate need of our help. We are too busy, too distracted and too caught up with our phones. We hate to admit that we are more liekly to be the priest and the Levite than the unwanted alien who showed compassion.

Jesus finds himself being tested by someone who is good at tests and arguments, a lawyer. The lawyer knew how to defend his position and win cases. What he didn't know well was living a life of empathy and compassion. May of us do all the right things and forget to "go and do likewise". We choose to ignore the broken, the alien, the needy and the neighbor. We are afraid. And yet God invites us today to understand that eternal life, encountering God, is found on the dust and pain of the streets. God is found in the misery and compassion of our fellow women and men.

Today, I ask God to help me see the need around me and to respond. May we live our lives, following the model of the Good Samaritan, so that all may know the presence of the loving Creator.