"Hey neighbor!"

Luke 10:35 (New Living Translation)
35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

I’m sure that we’ve all heard the story of the Good Samaritan. We’ve all been told that it was a parable that Jesus used to teach about how to love your neighbor and who your neighbor really is. This story has so much more to offer than just a simple dissertation about caring for your neighbor. This short 5 verse story sums up all of creation, the fall of man, and the redemption story of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Good Samaritan. We are the man who has been robbed! We have been robbed through the deception of the Devil and his minions. Through our desire to be like God, we have been stripped of our priestly robes and left naked and exposed before a mighty and awesome God. The Devil has taken what God gave to us! Thankfully, God has always had a plan for redemption and sent Jesus to fix our broken, beaten, naked state! Jesus came like the Samaritan man, saw a need, shouldered our burdens and paid our debts.

Jesus did all of that and left us with a blessed hope. He left with a promise of return and until his return He promised a Comforter. Jesus didn’t leave without first making sure that someone would look after us. This good Samaritan man left specific instructions for the innkeeper that the beaten man was to be fed, healed, and provided for until his return. He made sure to pay enough for the man’s needs and promised to cover any additional charges when he got back. Jesus Christ did the same for you and I. He has picked us up, shouldered our cross, and paid for our clean up. He has given us an Inn Keeper in the Holy Spirit to feed us, heal us, and provide for us until His return. He has assured us that if we run the tab back up (so to speak); He’ll cover that bill too.

The work of Christ on the cross was more than enough to cover our transgressions. It was more than enough to pay our debt. It was an act of love for His neighbors. Isn’t it nice to know that we are God’s neighbors.