Luke 10:33-35 (NKJV) But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.
If we are honest, many people will take the route of walking away just like the Priest and the Levite when they encounter someone suffering on the road. The fact that the Levite and the Priest are religious people but yet didn’t stop to help is a good reminder for us not to have a form of godliness without love for God and people. We need to practise what we believe as a Christian.
Love has a corresponding action and it is the act of giving, including our time, energy, effort and money as a form of expression of our love to those who are hurting and suffering, not out of pity for them but out of empathy. We don’t need to experience every tribulation in life to sympathize with those who are going through challenges, but we should love with a compassionate heart.
The Good Samaritan gave his time by taking time out of his busy schedule to stop when he saw the injured man. He gave his resources by ministering to the injured person by pouring oil and wine, placing him on his mode of transport and paying for his accommodation. He did everything for the injured within his means.
Luke 10:37 (NKJV) And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
God has placed many neighbours in our lives, whether they are our neighbours in the literal sense or friends and colleagues, who are suffering. They might have lost their job, are going through depression or a chronic sickness or illness. We must not be a consumer of Christianity, but love and journey with them with the love of Christ. Jesus has clearly instructed us to go and do likewise.
Though we ourselves might be going through challenges of our own, the grace of God will enable us to do the little that we can for others, and we can bring those who are hurting and suffering to Christ in our prayers, so that they can be blessed by His peace, salvation, and presence.
Sermon Series: Keep Your Peace (Part 2)
你们也当这样行
路加福音 10:33-35 惟有一个撒马利亚人、行路来到那里，看见他就动了慈心。上前用油和酒倒在他的伤处、包裹好了，扶他骑上自己的牲口，带到店里去照应他。第二天拿出二钱银子来，交给店主说，你且照应他，此外所费用的，我回来必还你。
说实话，在路上遇到遭难的人时，许多人会像祭司和利未人一样走开。利未人和祭司作为宗教人士却没有停下来施以援助对我们是非常好的提醒：不要只有形式上的敬虔，而没有对上帝和人的爱。作为耶稣基督的信徒，我们要行出我们所信的。
爱要有相应的行动，就是给予的行动。给予我们的时间、精力、努力和金钱，表达了我们对遭受痛苦和折磨之人的爱，这是出于同理心而非同情。我们不必经历生命中的每一个苦难才能同情那些正在面临挑战的人，但是我们应该用慈悲之心来爱人。
好撒马利亚人看到受伤之人时，会在繁忙的日程中抽出时间来为他停下。他提供自己的资源，用油和酒为受伤的人服事，扶他上自己的交通工具，为他支付住宿费。他力所能及地为伤者做了一切。
路加福音 10:37 他说，“他是怜悯他的。”耶稣说，“你去照样行吧。”
上帝在我们的生活中安置了许多邻舍，无论他们是否是字面上的邻舍还是朋友或同事，他们正在遭受痛苦。他们或许已经失去了工作，患有抑郁症、或者慢性疾病。我们不应该做一个基督教的消费者，而是应该用基督的爱来爱他们，陪伴他们。耶稣已经很清楚地教我们如何照样去行。
虽然我们自己可能正在经历自己的挑战，但上帝的恩典将使我们能够为他人做一些力所能及的事情，我们可以在祈祷中将那些正在受伤和受苦的人带到基督面前，以便他们能够因祂的平安、救恩和同在而蒙福。
讲章系列：保持你的平安（第二部分）
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