Proper Perspective

Luke 10:30-32

What’s your favorite movie?.. Go ahead, think of one, I’ll wait here... Got it? OK. Now, why is that your favorite movie? Do you identify with one of the characters? What about that character appeals to you?  Regardless of which movie you chose, I hope you see the power that a good story or movie can have in helping you to identify with a character. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan is the same way, unfortunately, too many people identify with the wrong character. Remember the man that Jesus told this story to? He was an “expert” in the Mosaic Law. He was Jewish. So, when the Lord opens his teaching story with, “A Jewish man was travelling...” Who do you think the Lord intended His audience to identify with? Yes, the Jewish man who is travelling, not the Samaritan at the end. Jesus set up this parable so that the “expert” would identify with the traveller and then see the story unfold from that perspective. Also, the location that Jesus chose for this fictional story was not an accident. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho descends over 3,300 feet in elevation. It was rocky and full of places for robbers and thieves to hide and catch you by surprise. Finally, the first two men who come across our unfortunate traveller were figures that would have been expected to help, not pass by with no care or concern. When you see the story from the proper perspective, Jesus is saying a lot to His one man audience. 

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, please help me to “eyes open” and aware of what You are doing in my heart and in my life. I want to follow You and don’t want to miss the details of what You may be saying. Amen. 

Reflection:

How has God been speaking to you? 

Do you need to change your perspective to understand Him?