Going the Extra Mile

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by 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, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii^[e] 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.’

Luke 10:30-35 

Jesus describes what it means to love your neighbor with the parable of the good Samaritan. Though expected to do the good deed, Jesus describes the Levite and the priest both ignore a half dead man on the side of the road. By association these men were both Jews. The priest was associated by occupation were as the Levite was associated for his family blood line. Addressing this parable to other Jews must have startled the crowd, as the only one who had the compassion and mercy was a gentile. The Samaritan not bound this man up, but took time out of his busy schedule to take care of him for the night.

Having heard this verse many times, I didn't fully understand what it meant to take care of someone like the Samaritan did. Sure if I saw a man injured I would immediately stop and help the individual, but to go the extra mile is something I haven't done in the past. The Samaritan man could have easily walked away after bandaging up the half beaten man and left him for the next person to take care of him, but instead he showed compassion and sacrificed not only his time, but also his money to love on him. He made sure this person was taken care of to the very end. I realize how much more effective the Gospel can be spread through this simple act of kindness. It's easy for someone to accept Christ when they're taken care of physically. If spread the Gospel is the ultimate goal for me on this earth why am I not helping people to the extent of how this Samaritan treated this man who was about to die?

Forgive me Jesus for not going the distance during those times when I was helping someone out. Help me to take every interaction with a Christ like mind not only taking care of their physical needs, but also their emotional needs. Help me to love on my neighbors as you have loved on us.

In Jesus Name Amen.