WHEN YOU HEAR THE TITLE (SAMARITAN)

What image comes to your mind? Most in the Christian world immediately think of the “Good Samaritan”, you remember, the man who went out of his way to help the poor guy by the side of the road which the Priest and the Levite not only ignored, but walked out of their way to avoid. This simple parable, spoken by Jesus to “an expert in the Law” created a total change in the image of the “Samaritans”.

You see, at that time, the Samaritans were basically hated by everyone. They had, at the least, a “scandalous reputation”. But think about it, as far back as I can remember (and I’m not a young lady) the term Samaritan has been associated with positive, kind and loving acts. We hear the term used on the evening news when the reporters cover stories like Katrina, the Tsunami and the current flooding in N. Dakota, as total strangers come to the rescue of those in need. Organizations whose primary focus is humanitarian (meeting practical needs) often have “Samaritan” in their title

Now, I don’t know exactly when the image changed but sometime after Jesus used the Samaritan in his parable they became “respectable”.

Here’s my point: If the actions of one man (we are not positive that this story was a reality or only used to make a point) can change the reputation of a whole group of people for generations to come – how important is it that we, as individuals, take care that our actions not only line up with what we say we believe, but even demonstrate what we say we believe. I am sobered to think that what I do today could have serious implications for my descendants as well as for my legacy as a Christian, both positively and/or negatively.

Whatever image others have of us could, with one simple act, be either marred or shinned. Philippians 2:15-16 “so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation’. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”

Cathy

Fort Myers Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Fort Myers Churches)

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