Go and Do Likewise
ICS Daily Devotions
Luke 10:33-35 (NKJV) 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.
If we are honest, many people will take the route of walking away just like the Priest and the Levite when they encounter someone suffering on the road. The fact that the Levite and the Priest are religious people but yet didn’t stop to help is a good reminder for us not to have a form of godliness without love for God and people. We need to practise what we believe as a Christian.
Love has a corresponding action and it is the act of giving, including our time, energy, effort and money as a form of expression of our love to those who are hurting and suffering, not out of pity for them but out of empathy. We don’t need to experience every tribulation in life to sympathize with those who are going through challenges, but we should love with a compassionate heart.
The Good Samaritan gave his time by taking time out of his busy schedule to stop when he saw the injured man. He gave his resources by ministering to the injured person by pouring oil and wine, placing him on his mode of transport and paying for his accommodation. He did everything for the injured within his means.
Luke 10:37 (NKJV) And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
God has placed many neighbours in our lives, whether they are our neighbours in the literal sense or friends and colleagues, who are suffering. They might have lost their job, are going through depression or a chronic sickness or illness. We must not be a consumer of Christianity, but love and journey with them with the love of Christ. Jesus has clearly instructed us to go and do likewise.
Though we ourselves might be going through challenges of our own, the grace of God will enable us to do the little that we can for others, and we can bring those who are hurting and suffering to Christ in our prayers, so that they can be blessed by His peace, salvation, and presence.
Sermon Series: Keep Your Peace
