Mercy

Luke 10:29-37
29.
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30.
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.
31.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32.
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
34.
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.
35.
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.'
36.
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37.
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Am I a merciful or compassionate person? Do I see the physical and spiritual needs of those I meet each day or do I pass by on the other side and avert my eyes? If I take the time to see the needs, do I show mercy and compassion and fill the needs or hurry on by and forget I ever saw the person? Am I too busy being a "religious" person I forget to be a Christian person - one who is Christ-like?

These are difficult questions to answer for we all want to think we would be the "good Samaritan" but too often I am like the "religious" persons and hurry on my way to do the "churchy" tasks. I am so surrounded by the forest I can't see the individual trees.

I pray I will become like the "good Samaritan" and see the needs of the people I meet with the eyes of my heart and the eyes of Jesus and take care of the needs I see. My prayer will be to go and do likewise.

Amen and amen
The Georgia Peach