Compassionate Vision: Transforming Hearts and Communities

Reading of the Word

Luke 10:30–37 NASB 2020

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

Prayer of Illumination

Precious Lord,

As we reflect on the parable of the Good Samaritan,

Open our minds to understand its profound message,

And ignite our hearts with the flames of compassion.

Help us to see beyond surface differences,

And to recognize the humanity in all people we encounter,

So that we may extend a helping hand without hesitation.

Grant us the courage to break down barriers of prejudice,

And the wisdom to embrace unity and empathy,

As we strive to live out the essence of true love.

In the name of Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns, forever and ever.

Amen.

Introduction

“What kind of eyes do you have?” When someone asks you that question, you usually answer by telling them what color your eyes are. The color of the iris dictates the color of the eye. Irises are classified as being one of six colors: amber, blue, brown, gray, green, hazel.

Although our usual pattern of thought when asked about what kind of eyes we have is to think about their color, today I want us to consider a different response as we look at the parable Jesus told in Luke 10. In this parable, he talked about three people’s eyes and two kinds of eyes. That parable is the story of the Good Samaritan. Let’s review the setting for why Jesus told this story.

One day, Jesus was asked a trick question by a Pharisee who was trying to trick Jesus into making a mistake. However, Jesus flipped the script and used the trick question as an opportunity to teach a powerful lesson about what it means to love your neighbor as yourself.

The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho was about eighteen miles. Today, the road is described as “a winding, mountainous route that passes through some of the most rugged terrain in the region, characterized by steep slopes and rocky terrain.” it was the perfect area to ambush innocent victims and rob them.

Setting up the situation at hand

We have to first look at the location of the robbery. The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho was about eighteen miles. Today, the road is described as “a winding, mountainous route that passes through some of the most rugged terrain in the region, characterized by steep slopes and rocky terrain.” it was the perfect area to ambush innocent victims and rob them.

The first verse in our text sets up the scene and it was gruesome. They stripped him of his valuable clothes and left him on the side of the road “half dead.”

He was beat to the point of being half-dead. Probably to the point of unconsciousness. He was probably bleeding from knife wounds and broken bones.

Anyone who had open wounds would be viewed as unclean and therefore untouchable. No one would want any part of this—and they thought their law gave them permission to avoid the situation so they themselves would not become unclean.

The first person to arrive on the scene of the crime was a priest

What could he have been thinking?

“The man looks as if he might be dead. If I go near him, I’ll be defiled, and that will be very inconvenient. Anyhow, I can recognize his face now, and I remember offering a sacrifice for him on the altar. So I have done my duty by him and have no further responsibility.”

Ralph Earle, “The Gospel according to St. Luke,” in Matthew-Acts, vol. 4, The Wesleyan Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1966), 269.

The priest was somebody with a higher standing in the community. He was not going risk his reputation to help a nobody in society.

His response?

He scoots over as far as he can on the other side of the road, goes by, and gets that he even saw him.

His eyes see but his heart is stone cold and not moved in the slightest to compassion for this man.

The second person to arrive on the scene was a Levite

What was he thinking?

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts 2. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (10:30–37)

“Poor fellow. It looks as if he’s done for. I guess he’s beyond hope. So there’s nothing I can do about it.”

His Response?

The Levite was the assistant to the priest. So he follows in the eyes of the boss. He gets over as far as he can and continues to go by him. At this point, the man must have felt as if all hope was lost.

How often have we felt in need, abandoned and the world just walks right around us, ignoring us and not showing an ounce of concern?

Go no further than the internet. People are in trouble and instead of stepping in and helping, they stand there and record the situation with their phones.

We were lost with no hope and Jesus was moved with compassion that he went to the extreme for us. He suffered, died, and rose again to meet our need of salvation and transformation.

The parable is a beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbour as ourselves, without regard to nation, party, or any other distinction. It also sets forth the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward sinful, miserable men. We were like this poor, distressed traveller. Satan, our enemy, has robbed us, and wounded us: such is the mischief sin has done us. The blessed Jesus had compassion on us. The believer considers that Jesus loved him, and gave his life for him, when an enemy and a rebel; and having shown him mercy, he bids him go and do likewise. It is the duty of us all , in our places, and according to our ability, to succour, help, and relieve all that are in distress and necessity.

Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Lk 10:25.

People in society will determine is we are who we claim to be. Their eyes are looking at this more now than ever before.

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” ― Mother Teresa

The first two show eyes of ignorance, judgment, and hard-heartedness. Their eyes see from a perspective that much of the world sees from today.

The third person to view the victim on the side of the road was a Samaritan

Samaritans were hated by the Jews. You would think it would be the least likely person to intervene.

In worldly terms of those days, this was a nobody. Someone else was classified as a nobody and had amazing compassion. His Name is Jesus.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus was “moved with compassion.”

He would see someone who he would show a deep concern for; a concern that came from the heart.

Jesus’ compassion caused him to act in meeting the needs he saw.

When you see a legitimate need with which you emotionally connect, and which is within your capacity to address, you are called in the name of Christ to demonstrate compassion. To experience the life, blessing, and reward that the kingdom has to offer, we are to reflect our vertical love for God through our horizontal love to others

Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible, 2019), 1198

His Thought & Response?

The Samaritan didn’t even think about acting. He just did it.

He took care of his wounds, took him to someone else to care for him, and even paid for his care. He saw the need, he was moved in his heart to meet the need, and he acted and met the need.

He saved this man’s life. He didn’t get any pats on the back or praise but he did it to meet a need and change the world.

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

The Tony Evans Study Bible Chapter 10

Our neighbors, too, are found in any and every group. The church of Jesus Christ ought to be a place where wounded people of all backgrounds can come to receive love and life.

Throughout the week, I’m going to post on Facebook and Instagram times in Scripture that Jesus was moved with compassion. I pray that it inspires you to go and do likewise.

His eyes were full of compassion, allowing his heart to be moved to action.

The question for us today: How can we develop eyes of compassion?

A. Take your judgmental glasses off.

It is easy to judge the needy as deserving of their plight. “They shouldn’t have gotten themselves into that predicament.” “They should’ve planned better.” “That’s what they get for being lazy.” “They should get a job and work like I do.” Perhaps that is what the priest and the Levite thought. Perhaps they inwardly condemned the victim as somehow deserving his misfortune.

B. Remember that you are not a judge but a servant.

It’s easy for us to question why a needy person is in need. It’s easy to make assumptions. But that’s the job of a judge, and we are not called to be judges. We are called to be servants. When we move to the position of judgment, we elevate ourselves to the status of a judge. We begin to make assumptions as if we definitely know what caused the misfortune. But what if we are wrong? Even if we aren’t wrong, it’s not our job to judge (Matthew 7:1–5).

C. Apply the Golden Rule.

If your positions were reversed, what would you want them to do for you? The so-called Golden Rule applies here. Matthew 7:12 says (and this is Jesus speaking): In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

To Sum It Up: Broken people need someone to show them compassion and give them life. Don’t pass them by: take action.

Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible, 2019), 1197.

Conclusion

Jesus commended the Samaritan for his eyes of compassion and said, “Go and do the same.” The compassionate eyes of the Samaritan saw the victim's needs and made them a priority. He reasoned, “There’s a need. I can meet it. I need to change my schedule and make this need my priority.”

Takeaway: Do you have eyes of compassion or eyes of judgment?

Closing Prayer

Gracious God,

As we close this time of reflection on the parable of the Good Samaritan,

We thank you for the wisdom and truth revealed in your Word.

May the message of compassion and selfless love

Echo in our hearts long after this gathering,

Inspiring us to be Good Samaritans in our communities.

Grant us the courage to see beyond differences,

The empathy to understand the pain of others,

And the willingness to act with kindness and mercy.

Guide us in practical ways to be neighbors to all,

To bind wounds, lift burdens, and share love abundantly.

Bless us as we go forth from this place,

Empowered by your Spirit to make a difference in the world.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.

Benediction

May the Good Shepherd, who knows each of us by name,

Guide you along paths of righteousness and peace.

May the love of the Father, who calls us His own,

Enfold you in grace and comfort throughout your days.

May the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Helper,

Strengthen you with wisdom and discernment.

And as we go forth from this place of worship,

May we reflect the light of Christ in all we do and say.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord,

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.