SOMEBODY ELSE

“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.”

Luke 10:30-34 KJV

It is so easy to point the finger of guilt at the priest and the Levite because they didn’t help the man but I wonder how many of us have done the same thing.  We know people who are hurting emotionally and instead of taking the time to listen to them and be an encouragement to them, we don’t help them.

If we don’t know what to say to someone, we can hug them for Jesus.  Some people don’t feel comfortable hugging others but all of us can hug with loving and encouraging words.  When is the last time you hugged someone for Jesus?  When is the last time you hugged Jesus?

Jesus has feelings too and He wants our hugs and words of love just as we want His hugs and words of love.  Let’s start being an encouragement to Jesus and to others by our kind and loving words.  We take people to see doctors.  Let’s take the ones who are hurting to the great Physician, Jesus.

Instead of waiting for somebody else to help those we know who are hurting, let’s reassure them that Jesus loves them.

Joanne Lowe

July 8, 2016