Compassion's response

There is a parable in Luke that was told by Jesus in response to a question about who we are to care for, who really is our neighbor, and from that story (printed here) I want to focus on just one man....read the story and then let's talk.

Luke 10:30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

As I read this story this morning my attention was focused on the Samaritan.  He was an outcast to the Jews.  He was considered a half-breed.  But something happened in him that was suppressed or denied by the other two men who walked by.  He felt compassion.  That was the defining difference between all three who passed this wounded man.  

There is something about compassion that demands action, it moves us to response, we can't just walk by.  And from that compassion came action, he "went to him, soothed his wounds, bandaged him, put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him."  As I read those words I thought, how could he do any less?  Compassion had begun its work and with it came actions- he went, soothed, bandaged, helped him, too care of him, paid his way.  

The story says the man had been beaten and robbed and was only half dead.  Is it possible he was awake, crying for help as the first two passed?   We don't know because Jesus gave no words to the wounded man in the story.  The focus is on compassion's response.....the actions that love demonstrates.

It's rather easy to harden our hearts, to ignore the wounded men and women on the side of road.  We're so busy, we have so much to do.  Surely someone will help them.  Besides...they're so dirty, so messy.  I would get blood all over my clothes!  And so we harden our hearts, stifle our compassion, look the other way and walk by......

But if we let compassion loose something happens.  We go to the pain, bandage the wounds, and help the lost....compassion demands a response....whatever the cost.

There are many wounded by the side of road as you go through your day.  No, I don't mean the homeless, the beggar, the unemployed...although that's what we think of isn't it?  

I'm talking about the waitress who is just getting by and was left by a husband with two small kids.  Did you notice her?  Did you see her pain?

Or the mom at Starbucks looking all put together, but is really dying inside from wounds she can't even describe.  She looks good on the outside, but is longing for someone to care about her.  Did you see her?

The list of those by the side of the road is more than I can list.  We walk by them each day...too busy to notice.  Pray for compassion to see the wounded around you and go to them, bandage their wounds, take some time to demonstrate what happens when compassion is turned loose.

Early this week I was at a restaurant with another staff member.  I asked our waitress about the best thing that has ever happened in her life, I went to her and from the question she shared her wounds, opened her life and said, "I'm thankful for second chances..."  And then she told us about her life.  

I pray I can see those "half-dead" at the side of the road, those wounded by others, the ones that others pass by and ignore.  You will be surprised what happens when you turn the love of God loose and reach out to the wounded around you.  

Pray for the eyes to see them.