ON THE ROAD TO GREATNESS

 

(Luke 10:30 NKJV) "Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead."

(Luke 10:31 NKJV) ""Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side."

(Luke 10:32 NKJV) ""Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side."

(Luke 10:33 NKJV) ""But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion."

(Luke 10:34 NKJV) ""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."

(Luke 10:35 NKJV) ""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.'"

(Luke 10:36 NKJV) ""So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?""

(Luke 10:37 NKJV) "And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.""

 

Introduction:

In this story, Jesus was confronted by a legalistic religionist who wanted a definition of what comprised a neighbor. He certainly was not prepared for the Lord’s answer. Nor was he prepared to learn that a Samaritan, despised as a mongrel race and inferior to the Jews, was the hero of the story.

The actions of the Samaritan are recited by the Lord in order to point out the real meaning of love and compassion. In our search for greatness as a Christian the characteristics of love and compassion must be demonstrated in our daily living.

I want us to consider several important points in this story.

 

1. The Samaritan was on the road where needs were likely to be found.

    1. Route of thieves.
    2. An area of evil and wicked activity.

2. He found the wounded man by looking at him.

    1. As Christians, we must look for the hurting and needy.
    2. Some wounds are not as obvious; we need the Spirit’s help to see correctly.

3. He went to the wounded man; got down in the ditch with him.

    1. He did not call 911.
    2. He did not wait for someone else to do what he could do.

4. He administered first aid to the wounded man. Our first aid is prayer; then ministry should follow.

    1. He had the proper materials to meet the urgent need.
    2. He knew how to administer the medicine.

5. He surrendered his comfort for the benefit of a stranger.

    1. He walked and let the wounded man ride.
    2. He shared time and space with the wounded man; nursed him through the night.

6. He put him money where his mouth was.

    1. He paid the bill for the wounded man’s recovery.
    2. He put himself at financial risk to meet the wounded man’s need.

7. He did what the professionals could not, or would not, do.

    1. He responded because he was a man of compassion and love.
    2. He did not look for recognition or applause.

Yet, this was the man whom Jesus used as an example in order to point out the value and behavior of genuine Christian compassion and love.

You may never be called upon to help an actual victim of a criminal act. (However, in our society that may not be true.) But, you are called upon to minister to the needs of those who have been (or are being) attacked in spiritual ways.

The enemy goes about as a roaring lion looking for who he can devour. You have the capacity to shut his mouth, stop his snarling, rebuke his actions, and send him on his way. The scripture declares, (1 John 4:4 KJV) "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Like the Samaritan, you can get in the ditch, rescue the hurting, administer the proper spiritual help, pay the costs and restore someone to health and life.

Like the Samaritan, you can travel the road to greatness!