The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is a parable about mercy. It tells the story of three men - a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan - who find a man who has been attacked by robbers. The priest and Levite pass the man by, but the Samaritan has compassion on the man and brings him to an inn where he can be cared for.
The priest and Levite were not heartless; they did not help because they knew what it would cost them: if they tended to the man, then they would have become unclean according to the Law. The Samaritan, who, as someone from a people group that the Jews hated, represent the lowest of people, knew he would be unclean if he helped the man. Yet, he was full of compassion and showed the man mercy.
Mercy is no simply showing kindness to people, but is relieving the sufferings of people. Mercy is sheltering the homeless and visiting those in bondage. Mercy is reaching out to those who are hard to love. Mercy comes at a cost, but it is something that is important to Jesus.
Mark Driscoll writes, "Jesus taught on mercy (Matt. 5:7, 9:13, 23:23). He is repeatedly described as having compassion (Matt. 9:36; 15:32; 23:37; Luke 7:13) and was so filled with mercy that He sometimes wept (John 11:35). " It may sometimes be difficult to show mercy to the people around us, but as the body of Christ, we ought to reflect Jesus' heart of compassion to others.
Living Life
Thursday, October 06, 2011
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