A certain student at Calvary Christian School went down from the front of the class to the back of the class, and fell among bullies, who stripped him of his lunch money, wounded him emotionally, and departed, leaving him sitting there really bummed..& hungry. 
Now by chance a busy teacher came down that isle. And when she saw him, she passed by on the other isle. Likewise an occupied teachers aide, when she arrived at the isle, came and looked, being curious, and passed by on the other isle. 
But a certain parent, who normally drives the teacher crazy, came to help that day, as she came down that very isle, came where he was. And when she saw him, she had compassion. So she went to him and wiped his tears, pouring the oil of the Spirit and wine of compassion on him; and she set him up on his desk, bandaged his boo-boo’s, and took care of him.

At the end of the day, when she departed, she took out two bathroom passes, gave them to the teacher, and said to her, ‘Take care of him; and however more bathroom passes he needs, when I come again, I will repay you.’

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the bullies?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Background of original story (vs.25-28)
TWO FAILED THE TEST! (vs.31,32)

Priest – came alongside, & then he stepped over to the opposite side of the road to avoid ceremonial contamination with a stranger.

He had both opportunity & knowledge…but indifference!

Levite – did the same.

Both were obligated according to the Law to help a neighbor in need. But also were obligated not to defile themselves by touching a dead body.

• Defilement prevented their service in the temple & eating of the sacrifice.

They both chose to pass by on the other side instead.
They passed by on the other side of the street, known also as the “safe side”!

He also had opportunity & knowledge…but curiosity preceded indifference! (came & looked)

Note: Religious work does not make the worker religious!

Poem: I was hungry and you formed a humanities club to discuss my hunger. Thank you. I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel to pray for my release. Nice. I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. What good did that do? I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health. But I needed you. I was homeless and you preached to me of the shelter of the love of God. I wish you’d taken me home. I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. Why didn’t you stay? You seem so holy, so close to God; But I’m still very hungry, lonely, cold, and still in pain. Does it matter? [anonymous]

ONE PASSED THE TEST! (33-35)

He shocked his audience with the hero of the story being a hated Samaritan.

So here he: dressed the victims wounds; let the man ride on his donkey while he walked in this dangerous territory; he paid money to the Inn keeper for extended convalescent care; he even promised credit for the additional funds if needed.

• {Sight, Sympathy, & Service!}

Note everything is touched in this man! – (his eyes, heart, feet, hands, thought, time, beast, speech, & money)

The Samaritan showed by his actions what love is!!!

James 2:17,18 “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

This is what we call “Practical” Christianity…but is there really any other kind?

His compassion is seen in what in what he DID to help the man.

Christian love is acting for the good of the other persons – whoever they are, whatever the cost, & however we feel!

Sympathy(w/feeling) is suffering with the victim.

Jesus showed the Lawyer…he asked the Wrong Question!

The question shouldn’t have been, “who is my neighbor?” But, “to whom can I be a neighbor?” (29 vs.36)

The answer to who is my neighbor? is Anyone I can help!

Teachers, You will find your neighbor in the child that needs your help!

If your spirit is right there is no need to ask, who is my neighbor!

Love actually makes a neighbor!

If you want to know who your neighbor is…BE ONE!

It is not difficult to discuss neighborliness in the abstract, 
but it costs something to be a real neighbor.

You are never more Christlike than when you feel another’s hurt & seek to help!

Leonardo da Vinci was once at work for a long period of time on a great masterpiece. 
He had labored long to create this work of art & it was near completion. Standing near him was a young student who spent much of his time w/his mouth wide open, amazed at the master w/the brush. Just before finishing the painting, da Vinci turned to the young student & gave him the brush & said, “Now, you finish it.” The student protested & backed away, but da Vinci said, “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?”

• Lk.10:37 – w/this fine example Go & do likewise!
  • Go show mercy also, like you’ve seen it shown.
  • Here was Jesus’ classroom! Here the Samaritan was love in the classroom!
  • Jesus has been painting Himself into each of your students lives & preparing them for this school year. Jesus says, “Here’s the brush, you finish it” – 
“Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?

What does Love look like in the classroom? (It looks like each of you!)

The Process…

First, we gain info through our eyes or ears. I’ll call this Awareness.  It’s when we exclaim, “I didn’t know”.

Second, we filter it through our mind. I’ll call this step Understanding. It’s when we exclaim, “This is wrong.”

Third, it touches our heart. This I’ll call Empathy. It’s when we exclaim, “Something must be done.”

Fourth, it finally finds fruition in our soul. This we’ll call, Action. It’s when we exclaim, “I must do something about it.”

An example: A year & a half ago I didn’t know where Myanmar was on a map! But as friends from Partners Ministry shared the atrocities that were happening in that country. I couldn’t get the stories out of my head. It grabbed my heart. Someone needed to do something about it. I need to do something about it. I did.

I look forward to sharing what is on my mind with you.