The Parable of The Good Samaritan Defines Our “Neighbors” As Those Who Show Mercy When There Is Need
Today, reply is on whether there is a divine blessing for those who help others through what they do when they are at work. During his ministry on earth, Jesus encountered many dietary laws, customs, and traditions among the Jews intended to sanctify (set them apart) as a people and possession of GOD. Many features in their way of life were based on doctrines and judgments from the law received from divinity; however, the ethnic arrogance, continuing of grudges, prejudice, racism, and elitism that developed was in no way commanded from GOD. Thus, using an object lesson (parable) Jesus spoke to the unwillingness of a priest and a Levite to help a wounded man they both saw lying in the road. Many were insulted that Jesus—a rabbi from Galilee (an area considered the “boondocks”) and an outsider to both the Temple community and Jerusalem—would dare teach “love thy neighbor” also can mean love other peoples and tribes long accounted as enemies and strangers. In the heat of their anger against him, they even accused Jesus of being a Samaritan, a demoniac, and a person having unclean spirits and devils. The writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Garfield the Cat” (Level 7 with 129,073 points, a member since January 23, 2012) posted the following:
Do you believe that helping those in need is a blessing from God?
The other day at work I've had a customer tell me that I'm a Godsend and a blessing to my job because I went above and beyond to bring a motorized cart to her vehicle so she wouldn't have to walk very far and she was really grateful and happy about it
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10: 25-37, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Mankind's Priesthood in Heaven (02/16/2018); Truths To Live By (02/02/2018); Divine Priesthood on Earth (01/31/2018); The First To Help? (12/22/2017); Undergoing A Sacred Transformation (10/24/2017); In Spirit and Truth? (10/02/2017); Called To Serve Unselfishly (07/06/2017); GOD's Peculiar People (12/11/2016)
“Garfield the Cat”, simple things we do for others often have profound meaning and enormous value that address more than their visible needs that are carnal, material, secular, and social. Among Christian believers, cheerful and generous giving, sacrifice that fulfills commitment and duty as well as unselfish service are indicators that divinity is present as an imparted spirit from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Sinners who turn to Jesus Christ receive fresh endowments of life essence (breath, spirit, Word), are “born again,” must “grow up again,” and must become mature while living on the earth as vessels of divine DNA, so to speak. Through discovery, gradual growth, learning, and sacred practice, the sinner becomes a developing believer, who can minister to others.
Not all believers serve as clergy, evangelists, healers, preachers, or teachers, yet, all are accounted as “gifted” and may share what they themselves have received as divine substance. Many serve as caretakers, classmates, family, friends, parents, emergency first responders, or volunteers. They will display inseparable aspects of divinity such as balance, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Believers may not appear to be blessed by GOD for their service to another, for the presentation of rewards are scheduled for a later time. Even so, through their lifestyles and daily routines believers are to demonstrate and display godliness. This is not intended to convert, proselytize, and recruit new church members so much as it is to make visible within and through the living the active presence who is GOD. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Matthew 5: 6-9, King James Version (KJV): 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(2.) Mark 10: 42-45, KJV: 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
(3.) Luke 18: 9-14, KJV: 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 1st Corinthians 3: 11-15, KJV: 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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