Luke 10: 30 A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
In the journey of life there will be people who will hop on and hop off at different stages. There will be people whom we will invest our time, talent and tenderness and there will be people who will influence our lives. In the parable of the Good Samaritan we read about four men who were travelling down the same road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The first man, presumably a Jew, had an unfortunate encounter with a ruthless bandit who not only robbed him but also stripped and wounded him. The second man was a religious Jew (Priest) and the third a ritualistic Jew (Levite) who passed by but ignored the bleeding and dying man. Then came the Samaritan, a half breed outcast, disrespected and disdained by the Jews, who extended kindness to the fainting wounded victim.
The Samaritan did not plan to stop in between the dangerous mountainous range on his way to Jericho however when he saw the helpless man, he was drawn towards him. The Priest who was rushing to a religious meeting and the Levite hurrying to perform his ritualistic ceremonies were only masked, masquerading leaders who were worse than the murderers and marauders who left the man half dead. The Samaritan not only gave the wounded first aid but also admitted him in an inn under care of a paid nurse. Hence the Samaritan was commended and esteemed by the Lord.
Three simple tests to self analyse our trail, transits and trajectory:
1. Tenderness: The Samaritan invested love, care and tenderness to a vulnerable unknown unnamed man. His kind-heartedness was not towards a person who could reciprocate but to a man who was abandoned without address or aid. Test 1 – Where are we investing our love? Are we willing to stop from our busy schedule to invest into the lives of those who are bleeding and dying spiritually?
2. Talent: The Samaritan invested his talent. Verse 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. The Samaritan did not even know the name or address of the wounded victim. He picked him up in semi-coma and left him in the ICU! Furthermore the Samaritan invested in a man who would not have even taken a glass of water, from his outcast community, on a normal sunny day! Only such selfless investments will have eternal returns. Test 2 – Where are we investing our money? Do we spend only on buying expensive gifts for friends and family or do we invest into abandoned lives who will never be able to repay us?
3. Time: Time is a commodity that we can never be purchased, repaid or redeemed. The Samaritan might have missed an important business meeting by taking care of the injured man. He gave the dying man a free ride on his donkey, took an unplanned transit and treated the anonymous alien. He did not get the applause, appreciation or approbation from the man or the society but was admired by the Saviour. Test 3 – What are we investing our precious time into? In a span of 24 hours, how long does social media and entertainment steal the precious commodity of time from us?
Only what impacts eternity, truly counts. Let us analyse our transits, short stays and stops. Self analysing our transits will channel our assets and accumulate treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:20 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may my talent, time and transits glean treasures in heaven. May my service, servanthood and softness have eternal impact in the lives around me. Amen
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