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From Heaven With Love
But now a Samaritan came where the sufferer was and had com-
passion on him. The Samaritan well knew that, were their conditions
reversed, the stranger, a Jew, would pass him by with contempt. He
himself might be in danger of violence by tarrying in the place. It
was enough that there was before him a human being in need and
suffering. He took off his own garment to cover him. The oil and
wine provided for his own journey he used to heal and refresh the
wounded man. He lifted him on his own beast and moved slowly
along with even pace, so that the stranger might not be jarred and
suffer increased pain. He brought him to an inn and cared for him
through the night, watching him tenderly.
In the morning, the Samaritan, before going on his way, placed
him in the care of the innkeeper, paid the charge, and left a deposit
for his benefit. Not satisfied even with this, he made provision for
any further need, saying, “Take care of him; and whatsoever thou
spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”
The story ended, Jesus fixed His eyes on the lawyer and said,
“Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man
who fell among the robbers?” RSV. The lawyer answered, “He that
showed mercy on him.” Jesus said, “Go, and do thou likewise.”
Thus the question, “Who is my neighbor?” is forever answered.
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Our neighbor is every person who needs our help, every soul
wounded and bruised by the adversary, everyone who is the property
of God.
In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus gave a picture of Him-
self and His mission. Man had been bruised, robbed, and left to
perish by Satan. But the Saviour left His glory to come to our rescue.
He healed our wounds. He covered us with His robe of righteousness.
He made complete provision for us at His own charges. Pointing to
His own example, He says to His followers, “As I have loved you, ...
love one another.”
John 13:34
.
The Samaritan had obeyed the dictates of a kind and loving heart
and in this had proved himself a doer of the law. Christ bade the
lawyer, “Go, and do thou likewise.”
The lesson is no less needed today. Selfishness and cold formality
have well-nigh extinguished the fire of love and dispelled the graces
that should make fragrant the character. Many who profess His name
have forgotten that Christians are to represent Christ. Unless there