But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion. Luke 10:33
“The Samaritan, “who took pity on the man who had fallen among thieves,” is truly a “guardian,” and a closer neighbor than the Law and the Prophets. He showed that he was the man’s neighbor more by deed than by word. According to the passage that says, “Be imitators of me as I too am of Christ,” it is possible for us to imitate Christ and to pity those who “have fallen among thieves.” We can go to them, bind their wounds, pour in oil and wine, put them on our own animals, and bear their burdens. The Son of God encourages us to do things like this. He is speaking not so much to the teacher of the law as to us and to everyone when he says, “Go and do likewise.””
Origen of Alexandria in Homilies on the Gospel of Luke 34.3 (ACCS NT3; Downers Grove: IVP, 2003) 180.
As I think about the Good Samaritan this week, Origen gives us a powerful word picture with the term ‘guardian’ to describe the love and care for neighbor that God desires from us.
If I say ‘guardian’ in my context, thoughts go to someone serving as a legal guardian to look after another person. That’s precisely what Jesus wants to see. Think about it.
He wants us to serve as loving guardians who take responsibility to care for the needy. This includes people who by cultural distinctions may be different from us in ethnicity, social class, or economic status.
God sees all of us the same. We as humans are to have pity or compassion on the broken and hurting around us. We should aid them not by giving a handout but a hand up.
Know anyone who has fallen among thieves in need of your care?