THE GOOD SAMARITAN

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells a parable that says something about every person. This is the parable of the Good Samaritan.

This Jewish man that got stripped, beaten and left half dead on the side of the road met 3 types of people. The fact that Jesus said this guy was left "half dead" is the most important part of this story, more on that in a bit.

The first people the man in this story ran into were robbers. The robber says, "what's yours is mine and I'm gonna take it"!

The second group of people this man runs into are the religious folks. These are the people who see someone in need, and instead of doing something to help them, they say, "what's mine is mine and I'm gonna keep it!" You were like this when I found you and I'm not going to inconvenience myself to help you, but I'll pray for you.

Thirdly, the Jewish man in this story meets a Samaritan--- the righteous. Jews and Samaritans HATE each other! Of all the places this man would look for help, he most certainly wouldn't expect it from a Samaritan. This Samaritan man saw someone in need and instead of using race (or any other barrier) as an excuse, HE HELPED HIM! He went above and beyond, nursing him, paying for his stay at the inn to recover, and being a neighbor to him. The righteous person says, "what's mine is yours and I'm gonna give it"!

So, back to the most important part of this parable. Jesus said the guy was left half dead on the road. What does the half dead person look like?

In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus there are 2 births, a physical (water), & spiritual (Spirit) birth. Everyone you meet has been born physically. If they haven't been born spiritually by giving there life to Jesus, they have 1 out of 2. So if they are half alive, that also means---- they are half dead!

In the past week, how many HALF DEAD people have you passed?

Now, where do you fit in this story? If you're the half dead guy, my heart's prayer is that you invite Jesus into your heart and surrender your life to Him.

If you're not half dead, then who are you to those half dead people you pass on a regular basis?

Are you the ROBBER? The RELIGIOUS? Or are you the RIGHTEOUS, who sees injustice and someone "half dead", and you step in with the help that they desperately need?