Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 10 verses 30 through 35:
30Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii,* gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.”
“When I come back, I will repay you . . .”
Here are the words of the Good Samaritan to the inn keeper; but they might also be the words of the Son of Man given to all of us called to take care of the poor, sick, and lame. For the cost may be significant; but somehow in the mystery of God’s economy whatever we spend gets paid back. As Jesus said, “Your reward is in heaven.”
Caring for others is hard and demanding work. It often means changes of plans, out of pocket costs, less personal time, and all manner of other inconveniences large and small. Sometimes it even means risking something significant, personally, or institutionally. None of this easy.
But the Good Samaritan promised he would return; and so too the Son of Man. And when they do, I imagine no trouble will seem too great compared to the reward of hearing these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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