In the parable of the good Samaritan, a man is left robbed, beaten and naked on the side of the road. On his way from Jerusalem (high elevation) to Jericho (lowest elevation/city in the world). The beaten man would have possibly been in the hottest desert and yet likely had a view of the body of water from the dead sea. The dead sea represents what the world and religion offer. A false quench of thirst that brings death and is a mirage of hope.
Then the good Samaritan who represents Jesus brings the man real water (living water). He gives him oil and wine for his wounds (Holy Spirit). Then the parable could have ended with Jesus picking him up and taking him into town. I mean the healing took place right? “The end” would have been reasonable for the parable to conclude and yet Jesus continues…..
Luke 10:35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying,
‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
There is a second hero to the story, who can represent a believer who has already been healed by Jesus. A person who is entrusted and paid by the good Samaritan to allow the beaten man to heal. To create a safe environment that he won’t be robbed again and the time that it takes for him to heal will be accomplished. I have personally met these heroes. These are our communities teachers, our community doctors and nurses, our community parents who open their home to neighbor kids. Anyone who keeps an environment that is safe for the healing power of Jesus is a true hero.
So often it takes a community of heroes to meet the needs of hurting people. So many Christians want to be the single traveling samaritan like Jesus in the story and that is a great ministry. Just remember He included the innkeeper in the story to encourage us that everyone needs a safe place to recover our strength even after Jesus began the healing process.
Heal the Home, Heal the World.
Brandon and Dana Pollard
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