ODJ: risk
November 13, 2011
Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him (v.34).
READ: Luke 10:25-37
My parents called me yesterday with some horrifying news. My second cousin and her husband had been murdered and their bodies dismembered in their home. Their gruesome deaths were particularly horrific because they had been killed by their adopted son. The son obviously suffered from deep psychological trauma, but it is still unfathomable how a child who was loved dearly could murder the ones who had reached out and loved him. Their sacrifice was rewarded with death.
Their tragic end reminds me of Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan and the risk he took to help an injured man. The road from the mountains of Jerusalem to the valley of Jericho was 17 miles of winding, desolate dust. There was no other road, and I understand why the priest and Levite passed by on the other side of the victim (Luke 10:30-32). The beaten body by the side of the road meant that robbers were nearby, and it seemed like a bright idea to get out of there.
The Samaritan—with little thought for his own safety—knelt in plain view beside the victim (v.34). What if the “bandits” were hiding behind rocks, waiting to beat and rob him? Jewish thieves might respect a priest or Levite, but they would have no problem killing a despised Samaritan. The Samaritan chose to risk his life out of love and compassion (vv.33-34).
We must be careful how we apply this story (for example, a single woman should think twice before stopping to assist a stranded man). And yet, like the priest and Levite, it seems that we can always find good reasons not to help. Love is supposed to be dangerous, for when we open ourselves to others we inevitably become vulnerable to being hurt. Sometimes it ends badly, but it is always worth the risk. —Mike Wittmer
When has someone taken a risk by loving and caring for you? What risk do you need to take to love a friend or another person who is struggling?
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