Go and Do Likewise

Go and Do Likewise

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:37

As we approach the conclusion of our meditations on this parable of the Good Samaritan, what have we learned? In the parable we see, either Christ, cloaking Himself in the garb of the Samaritan and demonstrating the fulfillment of the Law to ‘love, your neighbor as yourself,’ or we see Christ putting that same construction on the deeds of the Samaritan. In doing so He answers, ‘What shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ (the original question); ‘who is my neighbor?’ (The second question); and ‘what is love?’ (the unasked question). Regarding the unasked question, we see that the Samaritan does what is exactly consistent with what Christ would do and actually does, in dealing with us. So, how does this translate into practical behavior? As we say very often, the contemplation of Christ leads us to the imitation of Christ. How have I learned Christ here in the parable of the Good Samaritan? I have learned that Christ has compassion upon the helpless, broken people whom He encounters. So may I. Christ comes alongside them and addresses their most pressing needs. So may I. Christ uplifts them and assures their safe conduct. So may I . Christ gives of His resources and does not merely ‘drop them off,’ to fend for themselves. So may I. These are all the very practical fruits of what Christ Himself has shown us.  As we have thus learned Christ, so let us hear His closing admonition, to ‘go and do likewise.’

Our most gracious and Loving God,
we pray that You will strengthen our hands,
To do unto others as Christ has done unto us.
Make us the instruments of Your peace,
that we may ‘go and do likewise.’

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning