Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Comfort or Compassion? – Nah, I’m Good

September 7, 2022/in Bible Study, Week 5

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Growing up in a Christian household, I was very familiar with “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” I have always been quick to judge the priest and the Levite—why didn’t they help the man who was brutally beaten and battered? How could they pass by such a heartbreaking scene in good conscience? Had they no compassion?

Luke 10:31-32

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.”

The priest and the Levite were familiar with ancient Jewish Law: one of the earliest commands God gave his people was to love their neighbors as themselves. This is a command that still stands for us as Jesus followers today. This sounds simple on the surface; most of us would agree that we would step in if we saw someone desperately hurting and in need of help. However, when we come across these situations in our daily lives, do we live it out?

Leviticus 19:18

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

I am not someone who likes to be the center of attention. Unfortunately, there are times when I feel called to help someone, but I hesitate because I’m afraid of what others will think. I will also admit that sometimes I feel hesitant because going out of my comfort zone is scary. It is much easier to stay in my own little social bubble and turn a blind eye to the suffering of those I may not have a lot in common with.

I look back on these situations and grieve for the missed opportunities that I had to show the love of Jesus, instead, choosing my own comfort and protecting my pride. It is easy to think that we cannot make a difference in the lives of those in need and walk away, convincing ourselves that it doesn’t matter. However, we are called to take up our crosses (Luke 9:23) and follow the example of Jesus who laid down his life for you and me, people bruised and battered by life.

Jesus could have walked by and ignored our suffering, yet he didn’t. Just as the Samaritan showed kindness and compassion to the Jewish man, Jesus did the same for us, reflecting the immense love and grace of God.

Let us strive to follow the example of the Samaritan and exude the love and grace of Jesus to our neighbors, even when it means sacrificing our comfort and time.

Questions:

How does the love and compassion of the good Samaritan relate to the love and grace of Jesus?

Has there been a time that you passed by someone who was struggling? What do you think stopped you from stepping in to help?

Next Steps:

Ask God to open your heart and eyes to those in need. Pray that he gives you an opportunity to be the “Samaritan,” and then graciously give your support to someone in your life who is struggling.

Make it a goal this week to get out of your comfort zone and intentionally perform an act of kindness for a stranger or someone that you don’t know very well. Use this opportunity to spread the love of Jesus to those whom God places in your life.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us with an example of how to say “yes” to your will even when it is uncomfortable. Give us the courage to leave our comfort zones and stop walking past those in need, showing them the same love and compassion as the good Samaritan. Please provide us with opportunities to help those who are hurting and struggling, and guide us on how to help them in the way you call us to. In Jesus’ name, amen.