Have you ever seen a homeless person on the side of the street, wanted to help, but looked the other way? Maybe you wanted to help in your heart of hearts, but weren’t skeptical of how.

Read the story of the Good Samaritan to see how you can apply it to your own life.

The Story of the Good Samaritan

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii, and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10: 29-37

The first to find this man was a priest.

It is ironic that a priest, someone who was deemed to be “holy” –ignored a man who needed help. 

But he wasn’t the only one.

Then the Levite came along, someone from one of the 12 Tribes of Israel, a descendant of Jacob, held in high esteem for his time, and he ignored him too.

Finally, a samaritan came along. Samarites were Jews, and they were held in a lower standing compared to that of a Priest or a Levite.

A Samaritan helped the poor man.

The Story of the Good Samaritan Devotional

A few days ago I was pumping gas before an appointment. I was running late and felt stressed.

As I put the gas nozzle on my car,  I looked up, and saw a woman sitting on the side of the road.

She was crying as she smoked a cigarette in southern July heat.

I observed this woman and was reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan.

Here I was, an avid churchgoer and believer of Jesus–a “priest” or a “Levite” of this day, one might say.

What was I going to do? Walk on by this woman, or help her?

I stepped out of my comfort zone and obeyed what I felt was the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

I asked her if she was okay or if she needed anything. 

She assured me she was fine, and thanked me.

The next thing I knew, someone was there to pick her up, and she was gone.

I don’t believe you have to give to money to every homeless person you see.  However, Christians are called to look out for the needs of our neighbor.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but honor one another above yourself.” 

Philippians 2:3

How can we look out for their needs, if we don’t stop and talk to them?

Get to know people, build relationships— don’t “walk on by.”

Maybe there is someone in your small group that hasn’t connected with anyone yet.

Can you be the person to reach out become their friend?

Did I actually do anything grand for the woman at the gas station?

No.

I didn’t change her life. I didn’t actually help her in anyway.

But what I DID do, was show tray and show her the love of Jesus.

Have watchful eyes for who you can show the love of Jesus to this to this week.

May we be good samaritans for those all around us.