When God Interrupts
But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],
--Luke 10:33 Amplified
How many of us begin our day with a plan?
Without a doubt there are individuals who as soon as their feet hit the floor in the morning they're content to simply "ride the wave" as it were and just see what does or doesn't come. I daresay that most if not all of us at one time or another fit this description and I am no exception. At the same time for as many as there are that prefer to "let it ride" there are every bit as many who when they hit the ground running in the early hours do so knowing (or thinking so) what lies ahead. They have it all figured out; they have their outfits selected, they know what their breakfast is going to be. School drop-offs/pick ups, errands, work, and anything else that may come to mind is neatly contained within the confines of either a mental or a written plan. No surprises. No unforeseen details. A perfectly laid plan...
Ah! But then life happens...
Misplaced keys, cell phones ringing as you're heading out the door, the kids get sick, your cell phone suddenly and mysteriously vanishes into the great unknown...
The car breaks down and taxi cabs or the latest thing in Uber is needed, you get reprimanded by your boss for showing up fifteen minutes late even though it's the first time you've ever been late for anything anywhere, plus on top of that you're passed over that promotion you've been believing for and then because you were late getting to work you end up having to stay late to get caught up...follow that up with a phone call or text from a family member or friend (or worse yet someone you're acquainted with but truth be told you really can't stand that person) asking for a ride to somewhere that is completely out of your way...
These are just the "minor" inconveniences...
What happens when...
--Luke 10:33 Amplified
How many of us begin our day with a plan?
Without a doubt there are individuals who as soon as their feet hit the floor in the morning they're content to simply "ride the wave" as it were and just see what does or doesn't come. I daresay that most if not all of us at one time or another fit this description and I am no exception. At the same time for as many as there are that prefer to "let it ride" there are every bit as many who when they hit the ground running in the early hours do so knowing (or thinking so) what lies ahead. They have it all figured out; they have their outfits selected, they know what their breakfast is going to be. School drop-offs/pick ups, errands, work, and anything else that may come to mind is neatly contained within the confines of either a mental or a written plan. No surprises. No unforeseen details. A perfectly laid plan...
Ah! But then life happens...
Misplaced keys, cell phones ringing as you're heading out the door, the kids get sick, your cell phone suddenly and mysteriously vanishes into the great unknown...
The car breaks down and taxi cabs or the latest thing in Uber is needed, you get reprimanded by your boss for showing up fifteen minutes late even though it's the first time you've ever been late for anything anywhere, plus on top of that you're passed over that promotion you've been believing for and then because you were late getting to work you end up having to stay late to get caught up...follow that up with a phone call or text from a family member or friend (or worse yet someone you're acquainted with but truth be told you really can't stand that person) asking for a ride to somewhere that is completely out of your way...
These are just the "minor" inconveniences...
What happens when...
...a bad report comes from the doctor...
...you find yourself alone and raising your child (or children) because of a death or abandonment...
...you lose your job and there seems to be no hope in sight for a new one...
...your child rebels and turns away from his/her upbringing...or you're in your elder years and you hear nothing from your children; no calls, no letters, no visits...
And on...and on...and on...
These are the times when you wish you could just tape an "Out Of Order" sticker to your forehead, roll yourself up like a burrito in your warm fuzzy blanket and call it a day. You don't want to deal with the world, you don't want to deal with anything. Wouldn't it be nice if that's what we were all able to do?
God has other ideas...
These interruptions, these inconveniences are not caused by God but are used by God. He uses these things to stretch us, to shape us. These interruptions and inconveniences, even though we may not see it at the time, build our character and show what we're made of.
Let's take a walk over to Luke chapter 10 beginning in verse 25 where Jesus is speaking with a man who in those days would be considered a lawyer:
And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah's kingdom]?
Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?
And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. [Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5.]
And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].
And he, determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
Ah! Who is my neighbor?
Let's listen:
Jesus, taking him up, replied, A certain man was going from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and belongings and beat him and went their way, [unconcernedly] leaving him half dead, as it happened.
Now by coincidence a certain priest was going down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
A Levite likewise came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].
But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],
And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
And the next day he took out two denarii [two day's wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return.
Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?
He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. (vv.30-37)
So what does this story, the story of the Good Samaritan have to do with our plan?
Let's take a look...
"But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along..."
The Samaritan was on his way to somewhere. Scripture doesn't say where he was headed or the purpose for his travels, only that he was "traveling along." But take notice as to what he did when he saw the man bruised and bleeding on the side of the road...
Did he do as the priest and "pass by on the other side?"
Did he do as the Levite and "pass by on the other side [of the road]?'
Both men saw him. Both were aware of his condition. Though Scripture doesn't go into detail regarding their means I would venture a guess that they were both able and capable of doing for this man in some way or another.
But they didn't.
They had a plan.
Just as Scripture doesn't elaborate on the Samaritan's comings and goings, Scripture doesn't say much if anything in terms the agendas of these two other men but one thing we know for sure; they had a plan which they were not willing to have interrupted or inconvenienced.
How did the Samaritan respond?
Scripture says this: "and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],
Let's take a look...
"But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along..."
The Samaritan was on his way to somewhere. Scripture doesn't say where he was headed or the purpose for his travels, only that he was "traveling along." But take notice as to what he did when he saw the man bruised and bleeding on the side of the road...
Did he do as the priest and "pass by on the other side?"
Did he do as the Levite and "pass by on the other side [of the road]?'
Both men saw him. Both were aware of his condition. Though Scripture doesn't go into detail regarding their means I would venture a guess that they were both able and capable of doing for this man in some way or another.
But they didn't.
They had a plan.
Just as Scripture doesn't elaborate on the Samaritan's comings and goings, Scripture doesn't say much if anything in terms the agendas of these two other men but one thing we know for sure; they had a plan which they were not willing to have interrupted or inconvenienced.
How did the Samaritan respond?
Scripture says this: "and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],
And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him."
Now the Samaritan could have stopped here. He's already gone out of his way for this poor miserable stranger. Ah! but there's more. Read on:
" And the next day he took out two denarii [two day's wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return."
Isn't that amazing?
Most of us, if we're honest, are addicted to comfort and convenience. We have a plan and nothing dare not come between us and that plan. We want what we want when we want it. Not so sure you agree with that? Let the WiFi on your cell phone act up to the point of not being able to get a signal. How do you respond?
Along with being addicted to comfort and convenience we have a tendency to not want to venture past our comfort zones. If what we are asked to do or even if we see a need that without a doubt we could meet if it means we have to go out of our way we decide that's not for us. We morph into modern day priests and Levites; there was a need. A man was laying on the side of the road broken, bruised, and most likely near death, needing help. These men I am pretty sure had the means and the ability to help him. Instead the Bible says they "passed on to the other side." Why? I believe for no other reason than they didn't want to be bothered. They didn't want to get their hands dirty. They didn't want their plans interruped.
Then here comes this Samaritan man, a man who just by virtue of being a Samaritan, was considered to be the lowest of the low. He sees this man and Jesus says he was filled with pity. I like to think of it more along the lines of compassion. He sees this man and without hesitation cleaned his wounds and bandaged them up. Did he stop there? No!
Jesus went on to say that he put this man "on his own beast" (a horse or maybe a mule), took him to an inn and cared for him. Not only did he put a bookmark in his own schedule and took the time to care for this man he went above and beyond by loading him onto his animal and taking him to an inn to be cared for.
Did he stop there? No!
Jesus finished the story by sharing how the Samaritan gave the equivalent of two day's wages to the innkeeper, telling him to use those wages for the man's care and if he spends more than what was given to him it will be given back to him upon his (the Samaritan) return.
So what's the lesson here?
There are several. For one, the Samaritan was someone God was able to use because he was willing to get involved. When he came across the wounded man he didn't simply look at him with prayer and pity. He put action behind his emotions. He cleaned the wounds, he bandaged the wounds, and when it all came down he took the responsibility of the man's overall care upon himself.
The Samaritan also looked beyond the confines of being a "despised Samaritan." He scooped all of that to the side for the sake and well being of another human. He also had the means financially to invest in the care of this man which tells me he was a good steward of his resources.
The Samaritan was a man of good character and reputation. He was trusted by the innkeeper which again lets me know he was a man of his word. He was a giving and generous man. He had no idea exactly how long this man was going to need care but he gave over and above what the cost might have been. The cost was not a priority to the Samaritan but the healing of this man was.
Let me ask you...
When God interrupts your plan, what is your response going to be?
Will you be as the priest and the Levite?
Or will you be as the Samaritan and get involved with the broken, the bruised, and the bleeding?:
Now the Samaritan could have stopped here. He's already gone out of his way for this poor miserable stranger. Ah! but there's more. Read on:
" And the next day he took out two denarii [two day's wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return."
Isn't that amazing?
Most of us, if we're honest, are addicted to comfort and convenience. We have a plan and nothing dare not come between us and that plan. We want what we want when we want it. Not so sure you agree with that? Let the WiFi on your cell phone act up to the point of not being able to get a signal. How do you respond?
Along with being addicted to comfort and convenience we have a tendency to not want to venture past our comfort zones. If what we are asked to do or even if we see a need that without a doubt we could meet if it means we have to go out of our way we decide that's not for us. We morph into modern day priests and Levites; there was a need. A man was laying on the side of the road broken, bruised, and most likely near death, needing help. These men I am pretty sure had the means and the ability to help him. Instead the Bible says they "passed on to the other side." Why? I believe for no other reason than they didn't want to be bothered. They didn't want to get their hands dirty. They didn't want their plans interruped.
Then here comes this Samaritan man, a man who just by virtue of being a Samaritan, was considered to be the lowest of the low. He sees this man and Jesus says he was filled with pity. I like to think of it more along the lines of compassion. He sees this man and without hesitation cleaned his wounds and bandaged them up. Did he stop there? No!
Jesus went on to say that he put this man "on his own beast" (a horse or maybe a mule), took him to an inn and cared for him. Not only did he put a bookmark in his own schedule and took the time to care for this man he went above and beyond by loading him onto his animal and taking him to an inn to be cared for.
Did he stop there? No!
Jesus finished the story by sharing how the Samaritan gave the equivalent of two day's wages to the innkeeper, telling him to use those wages for the man's care and if he spends more than what was given to him it will be given back to him upon his (the Samaritan) return.
So what's the lesson here?
There are several. For one, the Samaritan was someone God was able to use because he was willing to get involved. When he came across the wounded man he didn't simply look at him with prayer and pity. He put action behind his emotions. He cleaned the wounds, he bandaged the wounds, and when it all came down he took the responsibility of the man's overall care upon himself.
The Samaritan also looked beyond the confines of being a "despised Samaritan." He scooped all of that to the side for the sake and well being of another human. He also had the means financially to invest in the care of this man which tells me he was a good steward of his resources.
The Samaritan was a man of good character and reputation. He was trusted by the innkeeper which again lets me know he was a man of his word. He was a giving and generous man. He had no idea exactly how long this man was going to need care but he gave over and above what the cost might have been. The cost was not a priority to the Samaritan but the healing of this man was.
Let me ask you...
When God interrupts your plan, what is your response going to be?
Will you be as the priest and the Levite?
Or will you be as the Samaritan and get involved with the broken, the bruised, and the bleeding?:
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