Luke 10:25-37 tells us about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus was answering a lawyer who tested him with questions, and He then shared this parable to him. As a matter of fact, Jesus was actually speaking about Himself here. The Good Samaritan here is therefore a 'picture' of Jesus Himself, who was also despised by the Jews.
Note: Who were the Samaritans? These were people living in Samaria (some 40 miles north of Jerusalem), a race formed when the Jews married the non-Jews. In those days, the Jews intensely hated them and refused to set their feet in the Samaritans' territory. In other words, the Samaritans were avoided (and despised) by the Jews (see John 4:9). In fact, they even had their own place of worship (in Mount Gerizim, near Shechem), when the Jews had their Mount Zion in Jerusalem. However, Jesus came to demonstrate that God loves the Samaritans the same, just as God loves the Jews (see John 4:20-26).
In Luke 10:30, Jesus said, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
'Jerusalem' here speaks of 'blessing', while 'Jericho' here speaks of 'curse'. Note that in Joshua 6:26, this city was cursed by Joshua. So, as this man left the place of blessing (i.e. 'God's presence'), he then fell among the thieves, who then stripped him of his clothing (i.e. 'glory') and wounded him. 'The thieves' here speaks of none other than 'the devil', who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10).
Jesus then continued, "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion." (Luke 10:31-33)
In cross reference, Matthew 9:36 says, 'But when Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd'.
Jesus went on to say, "So he (the Samaritan) went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him." (Luke 10:34)
This speaks of Him coming to you, bandaging your wounds whenever you are down and out. He also takes your sorrows upon Himself (see Isaiah 53:4), and in exchange, you have His joy. 'Oil and wine' here speaks of 'joy and celebration'.
'He set him on his own animal' here is a 'picture' of Him taking your place of 'discomfort', so that you'll have His 'comfort'. 'Inn' here speaks of 'a place of safety those days, where thieves cannot come in.' In cross-reference, Psalm 91:1-2 says, 'He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust"'.
And to culminate it, He also assures you that He is here to take care of you.
Have there been times when you ask some of these questions?
"Do You not care that I've been all alone taking care of the children?"
"Do You not care that I've been suffering financially?"
"Do You not care that I've been having this problem at work?"
"Do You not care that I've been struggling with this illness, and there's still no breakthrough?"
"Do You not care that I'm fighting this battle alone?"
No doubt, these are real questions and concerns to many. But whatever your situation (or concern) may be at the moment, His assurance for you this day is He still does care for you. People of God, never allow the 'enemy' to take this truth away from you, no matter how you may be tempted to think that He doesn't really care.
In Luke 12:6-7, Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (who neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns)." And in Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Wow! Five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And then two sparrows sold for a copper coin? Did God make a mistake in maths here? Absolutely not! What Jesus meant was sparrows were so easily gotten (and therefore, so cheap) those days! In other words, if you were to buy four sparrows, you'd get one sparrow free!
And He meant you (whom He calls beloved) are definitely of more value than those little sparrows!
And if He does care for the very number of hairs on your head, what more other areas of your life?
Yes, He does care, no matter what happens, and no matter how big your 'problem' may be at the moment. Well, that's exactly what happened to the disciples when they asked Jesus this same question, “Do You not care?” in the midst of a great windstorm when their boat was about to sink (see Mark 4:35-41). Jesus then arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!". The windstorm then ceased and there was a great calm.
Yes, He does care, no matter what happens, and no matter how big your 'problem' may be at the moment. Well, that's exactly what happened to the disciples when they asked Jesus this same question, “Do You not care?” in the midst of a great windstorm when their boat was about to sink (see Mark 4:35-41). Jesus then arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!". The windstorm then ceased and there was a great calm.
Yes, He cares, and He can also calm the 'windstorm' in your situation too. He is, after all, above all the 'storms' (or 'mountains') of this world, and nothing is impossible to Him (Luke 18:27). He is still your miracle-working God, yesterday, today, and forever. Somehow, someway, I believe He'll see to it that there's going to be a way out for you too. Amen. Only believe and do not doubt.
So, cast all those care of yours (including all your worries and concerns) upon Him (see 1 Peter 5:5-7). Well, it does take humility on your part here. The Bible says God gives grace (i.e. His supply and help) to the humble (those who realise the need to depend on His ability, and not merely their own), but He resists the proud (those who still believe they can do it with their own intelligence and self-effort, and with no need for God).
Give also your future to Him, and in return, receive His love and peace this day. Let Him take care of your future from now on. In fact, He IS your future! When you have Him, you have everything! And that includes your future! Of course there's nothing wrong in planning for your future, but let Him also take over from here, and worry not (see also Matthew 6:25-34).
Recently, Psalm 16 has been speaking much to me. I therefore pray this whole Psalm 16 for you too, whatever you may be facing at the moment. In Psalm 16:7, the psalmist wrote, 'I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel'. Yes, indeed. Let Him be your wise Counsel in your every situation as well. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Give also your future to Him, and in return, receive His love and peace this day. Let Him take care of your future from now on. In fact, He IS your future! When you have Him, you have everything! And that includes your future! Of course there's nothing wrong in planning for your future, but let Him also take over from here, and worry not (see also Matthew 6:25-34).
Recently, Psalm 16 has been speaking much to me. I therefore pray this whole Psalm 16 for you too, whatever you may be facing at the moment. In Psalm 16:7, the psalmist wrote, 'I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel'. Yes, indeed. Let Him be your wise Counsel in your every situation as well. In Jesus' name. Amen.
