Let's Not "Pass By On The Other Side"

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), is known by most Bible students, but not practiced by many. Looking at this parable, we see not only a man who took the time to help his fellow man, but we see indifference of two so-called "religious" men who "passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32).

Someone has correctly stated that it is far easier to meet opposition that it is to meet indifference. Let us remember that at the foot of the cross, there were some who opposed Christ, but it is said of others, "they sat down and kept watch over Him there" (Matthew 27:36 ESV). In other words, they were indifferent to the proceedings.

The story is told of a young, highly trained and gifted doctor who went to China as a medical missionary. One day, while attending typhus cases, he was stricken and became deathly ill by the disease. When he heard there was a woman who would die if a Caesarian operation could not be performed, he asked to be carried to the operating room.

Attendants had to literally hold him up — one at each side as he operated and saved the life of both the mother and her baby. Unfortunately, the intensity of the operation in his weakened state was too much for him, and in two days, he was dead.

Thank God that this good doctor did not possess a mindset of indifference, but the mindset of compassion — truly caring for others, no matter what the cost.

Dear reader, we too must not be indifferent when we have an opportunity to help someone in need (Gal. 6:9-10; cf. Proverbs 3:27-29).

Let's not "pass by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets