A Compassionate Heart

 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,

came where he was.

And when he saw him,

he had compassion."

( Luke 10:33 )

~*~

"Go and do likewise."

( Luke 10:37 b )

~*~ 

This lesson in the Bible on the Good Samaritan

teaches us on compassion and grace.
( Luke 10:25-37 )

There was a certain man that was on his way to Jericho,

and fell among thieves. They stripped him

of his clothing, wounded him,

and left him for dead.
( Luke 10:30 )

A priest went down that same road and came upon him,

passing by on the other side.
( Luke 10:31 )

A Levite also went down the same road, looked upon him,

and he too passed him by.
( Luke 10:32 )

But a certain Samaritan, as he was on his journey 

came upon him,

but he...had compassion
( Luke 10:33 )

~*~

When we as individuals comprehend the depth of God's love,

we can learn how to love even the least lovable,

becoming Good Samaritans to those around us.

Proverbs 14:21 teaches us that "he who has mercy

on the poor, happy is he."

 Compassion does not originate

in religion or responsibility,

but in a relationship with God. 
When we are graciously walking in the Spirit of God,
we will manifest Christ, and His standards
found in the Word of God
and compassionately love the unlovely
and the needy.

~*~

 The Good Samaritan saw the need of this wounded

helpless man, and did something about it.

Just as Jesus, in Matthew 14:14

"And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude;

and He was moved with compassion for them,

and healed their sick."

Jesus stopped to meet the needs of the crowd,

healing their sick.

~*~
This Samaritan man was on a journey,
he was obviously heading somewhere...yet...
he stopped and took the time to care for this man in need.
His heart was moved with compassion, and he took action.
The Samaritan man not only had compassion on this man,
but grace and kindness was showed upon him.
He "bound up his wounds, placed him on his own beast,
took him to an Inn, and there took care of him.
He then gave the host of the Inn money for this mans needs
asking the host to care for him,
and said he would return to pay the remainder of the bill."
( Luke 10:35 )
That is love-in-action!
*~*
It is so easy to get caught up in ourselves
and all that fills our own lives,
that we, many times miss those wonderful opportunities
to be a servant of the Lord.
Would we... like the Samaritan...
stop in the midst of our "journey" and take the time
for that one whom God has placed in our path?
What could be so pressing that we would be like the
Priest or Levite, and just walk on by?

A heart like Jesus should be our desire,

full of compassion and grace.

Our hearts should be aroused by the suffering

or misfortune of another.

When we give of ourselves in the lives of others,

there is great joy.

God's Word commands us to

"Go and do likewise."

( Luke 10:37b )

~*~

May we not be like the Priest or Levite,

seeing the need of another... and passing by.

But may we have the heart of Jesus, 

and the Good Samaritan,

reaching out to others and taking care of their needs

bringing glory to our Great God!

  

Our Precious Heavenly Father.
Oh to be like Jesus...
Cause us to follow after Thee,
and to be like Thee in the lives of others.
Grace us with Your love and compassion
giving us a heart that is moved
when we see a need.
Amen.

~Be Lovely~
Debbie