When Jesus told his story of a principled Samaritan, it no doubt scandalized Jewish sensibilities. Any self-respecting Jew would have expected the Samaritan to kick the Jew while he was down. The last thing they would have anticipated or hoped to hear was that he had enough compassion on him to lend him a hand and pay for his hotel bill! The pariah gives aid to the pitiable.
Moreover, he flouts cultural norms by even touching the Jewish man, going as far as to tend to his wounds. Likewise, we show how similar we are to Jesus by finding someone who’s hurting and serving them, especially if they’re our natural enemies.
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Can you relate to this? It’s an excerpt from my book that recently hit the market. It’s called Missional, Merciful, Worshipful Christians and Their Churches: A Study of Luke Chapter Ten. Sinceall the proceeds go to YWAM San Francisco to pay down their mortgage in the Tenderloin you’ll be able to get the eBook on a “Pay What You Can” basis. These people at YWAM are some of the best Good Samaritans I know!
The more of you purchasing the book and telling your friends about it, the greater the chance of them keeping their property and doing the great work they do there.
Maybe plan to use it to host a Bible study or book club! If you do, let me know, and I’ll supply some interactive questions for your group to help with your discussions. “Ask and you shall receive…”
barney wiget 