In reply Jesus said: “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. Luke 10:30

“Somebody help me, please!” The distress call rang loud. 

Baba was returning from a festival in the city with a bag of gifts for his family.

Baba found himself strangely concerned. Maybe one kindness before hurrying to a waiting wife and children will not hurt. He ran towards the distress call, hoping to save somebody.

“Leave him alone, you scoundrel!” Baba shouted, charging at the two men striking the man on the ground. 

Suddenly there was the victim—Baba! Stripped, wounded, and left to die in the middle of the road! Baba, the willingly Samaritan, now a victim of a robbery scam.

Have you ever thought about the identity of the robbery victim in the Parable of the Good Samaritan and how he fell into that situation (Luke 10:25-37)? How often do we stop to ponder this question and reflect on ourselves as the victims? Unfortunately, criminals have no respect for age, position, or social status. Neither do accidents. However, we often heartlessly say to ourselves: Too bad it happened to them and we pass by.

The priest and the Levite in the classic Parable of Jesus, told to teach on the heart of God for the needy, are prime examples of how heartless we could be in such situations—self-preservation (31-32). We stop for no one these days when we fix our minds on accomplishing our tasks. Regardless of the screaming needs of others, we plow on with no sense of guilt. Thank Jesus, He showed us a heavenly way—the example of the Samaritan (33-35).

The identity of the robbery victim did not matter to the Samaritan when he chanced by. The man’s life was at stake, and what he was initially going to do, could wait.

That’s our charge, folks! Every need in another person’s life is an opportunity from God to reveal His heart to them. Unfortunately, the priest and the Levite, the prime candidates for compassion, failed, just as we Christians do not show the overflow of God’s grace in our lives in situations of need.

Do you hear our Lord Jesus pointing you to the heart of mercy and grace in the Samaritan’s example (33-35)? By the kindness and love of God our Savior, we have received the mercy of God in salvation (Titus 3:4-5). It is only fair for us to share the same with others in need. 

So, where is your heart? Where are your bandages, oil, wine, and your donkey to rescue and convey the dying of this world to the Inn on Calvary (Luke 10:34)?

Are you willing to pay the extra expense to keep your wounded neighbor in the hospital of Christ (35)?