We Meet All
Kinds Of People
Two questions asked by a lawyer allowed Jesus to use
a parable and introduce us to several kinds of people. The lawyer's first
question was asked to trap Jesus. "...What shall I do to have eternal
life?" (Luke 10:25.) His second question was asked to justify
himself. "...Who is my
neighbor?" (Luke 10:29.)
The parable is called by most the parable
of the "Good Samaritan." (Luke 10:25-37.) In the parable a brief look is given at
several kinds of people.
We meet a man traveling alone. He
was on the road from
We meet some evil men who were
robbers. These men were evil and cruel. They were thieves and they were
heartless. They were under the control of the Devil. Satan had deceived them.
"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil
and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his
angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12:9.) It would have
been better for these men if they had never been born. They take from people
and from the world. Their presence makes the situation worse, not better. Let
us resolve to never be among this number.
We meet some very selfish and
heartless men. The Priest and Levite observed the outward form of
religion but they were selfish, heartless and therefore, also godless. The
focus of their lives was self. They did not want to get involved. What they had
they wanted to keep instead of sharing. They did not
rob and take from the poor man beside the road but neither did they make his
life better. People like them do nothing
for those who are suffering and hurting. "Then He will also say to those
on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire
prepared for the devil and his angels: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me no
food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 'I was a stranger and you did not
take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did
not visit Me.' Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see
You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not
minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch
as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to
Me."' (Matthew 25:41-45.) Let us never be like this godless pair -- the
Priest and the Levite.
We meet a compassionate and loving
man. He was "a certain Samaritan." He was a man of a
different race. But, like Jesus he had compassion on those who were hurting. He
made the man's life better. He is the
kind of person who makes the world a better place. He knew the man needed help
and he helped him. He had compassion and our challenge is to "go and do
likewise." This Samaritan was a good man who made the world a better place
to live. The world needs many more like him. Let us imitate him.
Let us never be cruel and selfish people;
but compassionate like the Samaritan who, "...as he journeyed, came where
he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion." (Luke 10:33.) Our world
is full of unfortunate people who need to be lifted up and encouraged by the
people of God. To truly encourage others you must be strong in the Lord yourself.
To become a Christian hear (Romans
By Charles
Box,