Priest Levite or Samaritan?
Jesus when asked,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:36-40.
Quite often when I speak to Christians here in North America. A lack of love. I see this quite clearly in the actions of many Christian leaders in the United States. The talk a good talk about love and mercy but their actions do not show it.
Lack of love is particularly evident in it seems many American politicians. Their actions do not show they love their neighbour as their self.
Jesus told this parable
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.''"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,' he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10: 25-37
Politicians and Christian leaders have the power to help those in need. Be it health care, helping people to put a roof over their head and food on the table.
Think about this. What better way to spend tax money than on the well being of the poor and needy. What better way to spend tax payers dollars than on the health care of all people.
If politicians and those claiming to be Christian leaders are truly following the words of Jesus they should be doing all they can to help everyone from the poorest of the poor to the wealthy. AND they should be doing so without favouritism.
They should be acting like the good Samaritan.
Please think about it.
