By Michael Medina
WCM, ULC
The parable in LK 10:30-37
JESUS' story has a
rich lesson of service, one that reminds us of the richness in serving GOD. As
Christians, we should be willing to help other people, making it easy for them
to do their work and be quick to respond without being persuaded. Here is my
modern version of the story with an honest slant of handwriting.
The prodigal son was
in a much cause to brag: he had much money, he was alone and happy, and he was
advancing himself in pleasure, selfishness, sensuality and lust for the world's
genuine offer. He was on spotlight with friends who gave him entirely all the
credit. To reckon, this spoiled brat was living luxuriously like a Herodian on
his squandered money in a faraway Jericho where a burnt and charred remains of
ruined foundations will be evident in a short while, as to him. Sure enough,
that downward step came in a form of famine or extreme scarcity of food.
The
prodigal son was soon in dearth of his ravenous appetite. He is now
experiencing pain, illness and something unpleasant and was forced to endure his wounds of sin JER 30:12. This young man now, in moral
bankruptcy and spiritual destitution, joined himself to a citizen who sent him
into his field to feed his herd of swine. He experienced insanity of sin that
he longed even to fill his belly with the husks that the swine had for food.
This soon became his persecution and custody of cruelty, badly stripped of his
dignity and bruised of his respect and self-esteem. He felt his lowest pitch at
present, leaving himself hungry and half-dead LK 10:30. Robbed of prudence, he
decided to leave quickly like what he did at home. Taking off hastily and in
secret, he ran out of control again, this time from an unhappy life and into a
poor part of the city where there is a lot of prejudice and a thoroughfare of
abutting professions and vocations.
In a serious and very
emotional way of wanting something, he tried begging off. Many pitiless days
have passed and lost opportunity, one day and by
chance a religious man came his way. This man is very careful to do something
whenever he can but he followed the rules of religion. His faithful devotion
led him to show a strong belief in his actions and opinions which he thinks are
in contrast with what others believe. JESUS identified him as a priest, but he
could be a perfect example of a narrow-minded church leader or spiritual
adviser. He may have a lot of common with your pastor when he shows partiality
over his congregation by favoring the rich and despising the poor. Such invidious
distinction has brought forbidden judgment JAS 2:4. And of all less severe and
pleasant relief that's bearable for the indigent lad, he passed by on the other
side. He was directed by his thought and action that it is difficult to act and
be embarrassed in ministering his mature faith.
A
few minutes later, an individual who likes to enjoy something passes by. He is
marked by a desire to investigate and learn given his connotation as a nominal Christian. Improperly curious, he takes a look
at the beggar and made a curt nod then prefers to avoid him too LK 10:32. He
was nosy and selfish. Like many people today, selfishness comes in the form of
greed, total disregard of other's rights, neglect of the needy and
suffering and the heartless indifference toward sinners. One is just interested
with another's personal life but makes no proper concern. It is not a strange
phenomenon today. One must know that selfishness results to lost opportunities
in achieving complete victory, repentance, investment, sympathetic service and
accepting our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Then
comes this one generous soul. He is ready to help those in distress. This
personifies that Samarian native who possibly was in a hurry to arrive in his destination. Being a practitioner of a true religion
and helpful, the true Christian must be like the Samaritan who reached a
particular level of matured faith. With his faith, he cannot take more steps
without showing his servant hood. So he bends his body forward, bending his
knees and tells the young beggar to come with him. He regards the prodigal as
his newfound friend and he comes along, ready for any available treat. The
Samaritan traveler bound the wounds of the victim, poured some oil, set him on
his horse, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The Christian, with the
HOLY SPIRIT as the source of power, shares the gospel to all thirsty persons
begging for its life-changing activity and to experience a second birth. The
modern Samaritan should be passionate in telling others about JESUS.
The kindness, the
human compassion and the brotherly love showed by the modern Samaritan brought
not only remedies to the prodigal son's wounds but
also made him realize that he needed humble penitence and the spiritual joy he
will get when he returns to his FATHER LK 15:21. So he decides to dwell in hope
instead of hopelessness and in anticipation instead of sorrow. He will head
home and see the comforting thought of his loving FATHER accepting him back and
restore him to HIS fellowship LK 15:22. GOD's hand supplied the prodigal son's
impossible need. He is now a changed man and the liberality of the modern
Samaritan blessed him with two pence more of advice to finally help make things
right.
The prodigal son
lends his character to this modern Samaritan's story. The former's life reveals
genuine repentance and the helpful Samaritan was there to share the message of
grace. The first one was lost but was found. The other found the lost and
helped restore him. *AMEN