An organization in South Africa began a compassionate project many years ago. The group buys houses in impoverished areas and paints them red. They then hire house parents who live in the red houses, providing beacons of light to the troubled communities. Over the years, these houses have become havens for children at risk and other hurting people in need of a safe place, a hot meal, a listening ear, and a warm hug.
Jesus once told a story to an expert in religious law who was trying to trick Him. The religious leader had asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). Jesus told him that he should follow the law of Moses: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Luke 10:26-27). When the man asked who his neighbor was, Jesus told him the following story.
A Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by bandits and left for dead (Luke 10:30). When a priest saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road. A temple assistant noticed him, but he too crossed to the other side. Then, a “despised” Samaritan saw the man and felt compassion for him. He put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn, where he cared for him. The next day the Samaritan handed the innkeeper two silver coins and told him to look after the injured man (Luke 10:35).
Jesus asked the religious inquirer who had been a true neighbor to the hurting man. “The one who showed him mercy” (Luke 10:37), he said. Like that compassionate Samaritan, may we also let God’s love guide us as we care for the poor and hurting of this world.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 18:10-22
More:
Read Luke 6:27-36 and be challenged by Jesus to love even those who aren’t loving to us.
Next:
What has God given you—time, finances, ability—that you can use to help someone in need today? How has He compassionately met your needs?
ecclesiastes on July 26, 2016 at 5:15 am
Yes we all need a safe house sometimes and for that we can rely on the ever present safe hands of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God called me to use the Good Samaritan parable in my blog on 12 June. In response to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ marches I said that all lives matter. I reminded readers that “he (the Samaritan) was moved by compassion” and Jesus’ instruction; “Go and do thou likewise” What can I do with the gifts God has given me today? Love my neighbour!
gagirllive on July 26, 2016 at 9:48 am
I haven’t read your blog, ecclesiastes, so I may be jumping the gun on this one. Perhaps I have totally misunderstood you. Please forgive me if I am wrong, but your comment about “all lives matter” strikes me as a contradiction to today’s devotional. The Jew was in a crisis and everyone was passing him by. He had been beaten and treated unjustly. Apparently, his crisis touched the heart of the Samaritan while everyone else ignored his plight. He mattered to him in his moment of greatest need. The Samaritan had compassion on him. What if he had walked upon him and said, “All lives matter so I will just pass you by”? Giving attention to this man’s pain…would it mean that everyone else was insignificant? That would be ridiculous, don’t you think? The outcry of “Black Lives Matter” is not a proclamation that no other lives matter. Of course, all lives matter. That’s a given. From what I can understand, it is a cry that says, “I am hurting and attention needs to be given to this matter.” I think by saying “All Lives Matter” you perpetuate the problem of a people who feel that they are not being heard. Thank God the Good Samaritan didn’t respond that way. I’m not trying to be argumentative here, but please give prayerful consideration about saying things like that. As Christ-followers we need to be sowing seeds of peace, not advancing the discord.
ecclesiastes on July 26, 2016 at 10:25 am
No problem. We are both singing from the same hymn sheet. The thrust of my blog was that despite being despised by the Jews on account of his race, nevertheless, the Samaritan was the only person to offer assistance to the injured Jew.. The parable therefore teaches us regardless of his race, creed, colour, size, shape or age we are called to care for our neighbour . In that sense all lives matter – all have equal value in the sight of God and therefore to us; as you point out. I deliberately pointed out to my readers that I did not intend to debate the political motives of the movement but simply to take up on the title. The movement obviously has a different emphasis which as a non American I did not appreciate.
I am not sure if I am allowed to do this as it may seem like blatant advertising but I blog at at http://reflectionsinthewater.weebly.com/
gagirllive on July 26, 2016 at 11:02 am
Thank you for sharing your blog, ecclesiastes. I read it and understand where you were going with it. However, I still contend that using the phrase “All Lives Matter” in light of what is happening creates more division. It is the truth…but it doesn’t sound like it’s spoken in love to me. It sounds like insensitivity. If I were suffering with lung cancer and looked to you for compassion and you said to me, “All cancer matters; why should I concern myself with your lung cancer?”, how do you think I would feel? It’s irrelevant to say that in the face of someone who is hurting. Yes…all lives matter, but because all things are not equal in this world people have to cry out their specific pain to be heard. It just doesn’t make sense to me to say that to people who already feel a great sense of injustice. I guess we just see that differently. I appreciate your voice here, brother.
hsnpoor on July 26, 2016 at 11:49 am
I too followed the link to your blog, but didn’t find anything for 6/12/16 that referenced “All Lives Matter”; I did; however, read your post on Love They Neighbor, which had a date of 6/20/16. In any case, as a Black American woman, I actually couldn’t have articulated my feelings any better on this subject than GG did. I was all ready to post a reply, as I read your post, only to find that GG had already taken the thoughts right out of my head. As a Non-American, you are probably correct that you do not and cannot appreciate the ramifications of American race relations. It is a given that ALL lives matter, but when that is used as a response to the “Black Lives Matter” movement, it becomes an insult that adds to the injury being perpetuated on Black Americans, simply because we are Black. I don’t know your life experience, but unless you’ve been here, done that and walked in these shoes, I’m not sure that you have the mentality to understand the how and why claiming the banner of “All Lives Matter” in response to the “Black Lives Matter” banner would be polarizing and like throwing gas on an already out of control fire. I do appreciate your post, though, if for no other reason than it has raised my level of respect and admiration for my Sister-In-Christ, GG, to greater heights than I would have thought possible. GG, I so very much appreciate and love who you are and I’m glad you’re a part of my life journey! Blessings to both of you today and always!
ecclesiastes on July 26, 2016 at 12:18 pm
It was never my intention to insult anyone. If I have offended anyone I apologize. It just shows how words can be twisted by those who wish to do so. My love, my compassion extends to all people regards race or religion.
gagirllive on July 26, 2016 at 5:45 pm
I’m not insulted at all, ecclesiastes. I believe this forum to be a safe place for all to share what’s on their minds. I’ve always tried to respectfully disagree here with anyone who has a different viewpoint from mine. I’m sorry to read that you think your words were “twisted” though. Maybe misunderstood? No one is being accusatory here. Anyway, we are family so you’re stuck with me….for eternity. 🙂 Grace and peace, dear brother.
ecclesiastes on July 27, 2016 at 5:27 am
I thank God that we are a family and I am delighted that you will be with me for eternity. Thanks too for the link which I will read.
gagirllive on July 26, 2016 at 8:26 pm
Ecclesiastes, it’s getting late in the evening for posting where I am so it may be even later where you are. If you are able to see this, I would like to ask you to read an article that might give you some insight and understanding to what our exchange was about today. It certainly opened my eyes. Here’s the link:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/nation/problem-saying-all-lives-matter
hsnpoor on July 27, 2016 at 3:24 am
Highly relevant! Thank you for sharing!
hsnpoor on July 27, 2016 at 3:08 am
Ecclesiastes, I don’t believe I accused you of intentionally insulting me or anyone. The intent of my comments was to hopefully broaden your view to see this matter through the eyes of a Black American, with some degree of empathy., that your word usage did not convey, from my POV. It would appear I failed in that mission and so be it. However, you can rest assured that I do take offense at your accusation that I would have to twist what you said to justify my comments. I did not and if your intent was to insult, you can consider your mission accomplished.
hsnpoor on July 27, 2016 at 3:30 am
And, please, no more back-handed apologies….
ecclesiastes on July 27, 2016 at 5:24 am
No back handed apologies but since I have obviously offended you then I ask for your forgivness
hsnpoor on July 27, 2016 at 7:41 am
And, so you shall have it. Peace be with both you and me.
gagirllive on July 26, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Kim, I appreciate your sentiments, but I’m not looking for any kudos here. I really just want to have Christ’s heart. Thanks, my friend.
jim spillane on July 26, 2016 at 12:38 pm
gagirllive – this is my only way to reply to your comment to me from yesterday. First of all, thank you for taking the time to reply, I always find your words thought-provoking and sincere. Apparently it was my fault for not making my statement clear enough. My “forgive and forget” comment was meant to show that deeply hurtful things in true relationships often eventually resurface again and even again. To me, your comment had more to do with how you respond to that, not to why they return. You even seemed to agree with me when you stated, “every time it comes up, I remember that I’ve chosen to forget it.” Exactly my point, those things do come up again, we never completely forget. Many blessings to you.
gagirllive on July 26, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Thanks for responding to that, Jim. I’m in agreement with you. I’m sorry I didn’t make myself clear. I stated that it wasn’t humanly possible to actually forget in the true sense of the word. I redefined it by saying that we must “forget” by choosing to “not remember”—not rehearsing the offense again and again, not rehashing it…talking about it and keeping it alive. I can’t remember (haha…not by choice) who it was, but a famous woman from the past was asked by a friend how it was possible that she could work with someone who had committed a great offense toward her. Her reply was “I distinctly remember forgetting that”. That’s the idea behind what I said yesterday. Comprendo? Thanks, Jim
gagirllive on July 26, 2016 at 1:23 pm
This is my additional thoughts, Jim, to answer your question as to why deep hurts resurface. I’m no psychologist…I only speak from my own experiences, but if I am recalling hurts and they continue to be a source of pain, I think that more healing needs to take place. And there’s no time limit on that. It’s a process. When I can recall a hurtful experience without it feeling “fresh” all over again, I know that, by God’s grace, I’ve made some serious progress. It can pop up in my mind, but I don’t let it linger, and I don’t hurt from the thought of it like before. Is that clearer?
hsnpoor on July 27, 2016 at 3:11 am
I know that, GG, re: the kudos and your heart for Christ. Just take it, cause I’m not taking it back…:)!
Gary Shultz on July 26, 2016 at 7:37 am
A good reminder Ruth, to be looking for those we can help. A good reminder that God has blessed us, in most cases, to help others, that we should always be thankful. A good reminder that prayer is something we can offer, asking God how and what we could do in any given situation. Thanks Ruth
Tom Felten on July 26, 2016 at 7:59 am
Ruth, such a good reminder that we can be knowledge-rich and loving-poor. May we not only grow in our knowledge of God and the Scriptures, but also in living them out by the power of the Holy Spirit. Who will need help from me today? Hoping to have my eyes wide open . . .
hsnpoor on July 26, 2016 at 11:51 am
Good thoughts, Tom! I always seem to be tagging onto your comments with “Me too”, and I do so again today. Hope you don’t mind…
godlove on July 26, 2016 at 11:05 am
One great thing about Jesus’ teaching is that He always emphasised on mutual concern. It’s not only about the salvation of our souls for eternity but also caring for those around us in this life. As we enjoy His blessings, we are expected to be a blessing to others as well. My attention is particularly drawn by the challenge in the “More” section. It’s so true that its very easy to show love to those who love us in return, the real challenge lies in loving those who actively oppose us, as Jesus said, “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return” (Luke 6:32-34). May God help us to go further in sharing the love we so freely receive from Him even with those who hate us. Thanks for the reminder, Ruth.
jim spillane on July 26, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Many of the comments so far can certainly be considered correct interpretation of this parable, but I think that godlove has come the closest to the deeper meaning it contains. Remember that the lawyer (or scribe) who was debating Jesus was trying to pin Him down on a definition of “neighbor.” Remember, at that time the popular rabbinical interpretation of “love your neighbor as yourself” was “you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy” as Jesus explains in Matthew 5:43 and that takes all the life-changing effectiveness out of the command because you are the one who decides who your enemies are. So, in that regard, you don’t have to love anyone you don’t want to. If we interpret the parable as implying that the “certain man” was a Jew, and knowing the historical background regarding Jews and Samaritans (bitter enemies) and then see the way this Samaritan went above and beyond in caring for this Jew, the parable begins to shine with a different light. How far are we willing to go with our “enemies?” Apparently, the lawyer didn’t consider his enemies to be his neighbors, so Jesus paints this thought-provoking picture for him to show him who his neighbor really is. Who do we always do the most for? Ourselves. So then, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Blessings to all today and always.
jim spillane on July 26, 2016 at 12:11 pm
And if I might take some extra space here, according to pastor and author John MacArthur, “there’s a deeper lesson here. The way the good Samaritan cared for the traveler is the way God loves sinners.” Because of our rebellious nature, aren’t we all enemies of God. But look at how He cares for us.
godlove on July 26, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Nice perspective there, we certainly were enemies of God yet He still loves us to the point of sacrificing His own Son for us. As He loves us, may we too learn to love our enemies. Thanks for sharing, jim.
crossman61 on July 26, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Thank You Ruth for the devotional for today . That’s a true statement Tom says we can be Knowledge rich and loving poor . A good friend used a sermon once , He called it knowledge is not enough . We do have to show Love in action , and not only in words . Just as Our Savior had to show us His love for us , He laid down His Life for us . May Peace be in the forum today I Pray , and everyday .
Ruth O'reilly-smith on July 26, 2016 at 1:50 pm
To me, the Red House initiative is a powerful example of how we can be salt and light in our bland and dark world. As Christians, we may wonder how to make disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19), but when we intentionally quiet ourselves (Psalm 46:10), we know and love God, ourselves and others (Mark 12:30-31) and our focus shifts from being consumed with self gratification, to the needs around us and the gifts God has given us, in order to meet the needs. Looking into the eyes of the marginalized in our society and showing genuine love and care, is one very tangible way our light can shine, as we add flavor and the aroma of Christ to our world. May we be more aware of the people God wants us to be a blessing to, every day.