Charles R. Swindoll: Surprise

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But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:33-35

“The hero of the story comes as a surprise. Luke’s choice of word order places emphasis on the word “Samaritan.” A hated Samaritan–of all people!–“saw” exactly what the priest and the Levite had seen, but he responded with compassion. Whereas the other two travelers passed by the other side of the road, the Samaritan “came to him.” Moreover the Lord describes the Samaritan’s care as tender, conscientious, thorough, and sacrificial. He gave the best care of the day, washing the wounds in wine to ward off infection, bathing the raw flesh in soothing olive oil, and bandaging the injuries to protect them. He took the bruised man to safety and cared for him until morning. He even left the innkeeper two days’ wages, charging him to care for the injured man, promising to return and cover any additonal expenses. His grace toward the unknown victim was extraordinary!”

Charles R. Swindoll in Swindoll’s Living Insights: New Testament Commentary on Luke (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2017) 304.

Let’s surprise people with our generosity in extraordinary ways.

In my message to the church in Malaysia I emphasized from this part of the parable that we must “give a hand up in community” and people really resonated with that idea in discussions afterwards.

Think about it for a few minutes. He did not give the guy a handout which creates dependencies. He gave him a hand up which builds disciples. And he did not do this alone. He engaged others in the process.

When get people like the innkeeper involved in caring for the needy, we invite them to experience the blessing and to minister generously in a manner that is “tender, conscientious, thorough, and sacrificial.”

Surprise everyone with such extraordinary generosity!