In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable
that illustrates the transformative power of compassion and kindness—the
parable of the Good Samaritan. This timeless story serves as a powerful
reminder of our call to love our neighbors as ourselves and to show mercy to
those in need.
The parable is found in Luke 10:25-37, where a
Jewish expert in the law tests Jesus by asking him, "Teacher, what must I
do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus responds by asking the man what is
written in the law, to which the man replies, "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 neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27).
Jesus affirms the man's answer and then tells
him the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what it means to love one's
neighbor.
The story begins with a man who is traveling
from Jerusalem to Jericho and falls into the hands of robbers, who strip him of
his clothes, beat him, and leave him half dead by the side of the road. A
priest and a Levite pass by the man without stopping to help, but then a
Samaritan comes along.
In Jesus' time, Samaritans were despised by
Jews, and the animosity between the two groups ran deep. Yet, it is the
Samaritan who shows compassion and kindness to the wounded man. He tends to his
wounds, bandages them, and takes him to an inn, where he cares for him and pays
for his lodging.
When Jesus asks the Jewish expert in the law who
was the neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers, the man
replies, "The one who had mercy on him" (Luke 10:37). Jesus tells
him, "Go and do likewise."
This parable challenges us to examine our hearts
and consider how we treat those around us, especially those who are in need. It
reminds us that true compassion knows no boundaries and that kindness has the
power to heal and restore.
In addition to the parable of the Good Samaritan,
the Bible is filled with stories of acts of kindness and compassion. One such
story is found in the book of Ruth, where Ruth, a Moabite woman, shows great
loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi.
After the death of her husband, Ruth chooses to
accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem, even though it means leaving behind her own
family and homeland. Ruth's selfless act of kindness and commitment to Naomi is
captured in her famous declaration: "Where you go I will go, and where you
stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth
1:16).
Ruth's loyalty and kindness do not go unnoticed,
and God blesses her for her faithfulness. She finds favor in the eyes of Boaz,
a wealthy landowner, who eventually marries her and becomes her
kinsman-redeemer.
Through Ruth's story, we see the power of
kindness to change lives and the faithfulness of God to reward those who honor
Him. Ruth's kindness not only brings comfort and support to Naomi but also
leads to her own redemption and blessing.
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