“The next day he took out two silver coins and gave then to the innkeeper. ‘look after him’, he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for an extra expenses you may have.’ ” Luke 10:35
The story of the Good Samaritan is a familiar one. The man found another man mugged on the side of the road. He bound his wounds and took him to an inn. There he stayed with him until the man began healing and out of danger ( the first twenty-four hours being the most critical time). Then he gave the innkeeper instructions and left.
Looking at this passage, I think we are the innkeepers. Jesus saves people, binds their wounds and begins the healing process. But He leaves us to do the rest. Healing takes time. Perhaps there is someone in your Church or at work that is just a little different and the easy target for ridicule. Perhaps you know someone who has lost a loved one in the past year or so who still faces the deafening silence of not hearing their voice everyday. Maybe a neighbor has lost their job or is recovering from some major illness. Then there is the family whose father or mother is overseas defending our country and the teenage who has recently given their heart to Jesus but faces such strong temptations from peers.
All around us are wounded people who are just beginning to heal. Jesus has paid the price, and until He returns, he has given us instructions to be His hands and feet. It is us that He calls to care for those around us. Who will He call you to care for today?
Heavenly Lord, forgive me for not noticing more my neighbors around me who are hurting. You have bound their wounds and given us the charge to care for them until You return. Show me the person I am to minister to today, be it a warm smile or a good deed or an encouraging word or a heartfelt prayer. I know in my times of need You have sent others to me. Let me not be remiss and be open to do the same when You spur my heart to act. Through Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.
