Sunday, January 13, 2019

Who is my neighbor? The modern Samaritan


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