"Go And Do Likewise" Part 2

Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, 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 bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'

'So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"

And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:30-37
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Jesus' last words to the man asking the question, "Who is my neighbor?" had been, "Go and do likewise." It seems pretty important to Jesus to lay out this whole story to answer the question. Jesus never wastes words so I began to think that it was for more than the telling of a good story to show the man that the 'highly esteemed' or rather the 'justified' before men, don't always have the right heart attitude to make the right choice. He forced the man to confront that thought and then told him to, "Go and do likewise."

I looked up the word go, do, likewise, mercy, compassion, and neighbor so that we would have a better understanding of how we too can, "Go and do likewise."
Go - to traverse, travel, lit. or fig. espec. to remove.(fig.) die, live.
Do - to make or do
Likewise - similarly, similar in appearance or character
Mercy - compassion (human or divine, espec. active)
Compassion - to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (fig.) feel sympathy, to pity
neighbor - near, close by, a neighbor, fellow man (as a countryman or friend)

If we look at the first words pertaining to the Samaritan, "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him he had compassion on him." we see that he was a perfect example of the words "Go and do likewise." He was busy going. He was out and about on his daily travels and as he went he came across someone in need. He felt and showed him compassion. First he removed the effects of the thieves with bandages, wine, oil, and then he died to self as he sacrificed his ride to carry the man, He paid with the money he had as well as giving a guarantee any future debt. He didn't care that he wasn't a Samaritan. He simply saw that he was a man in need, was moved with compassion and did all he could to help.

Jesus came because He saw the effects of the enemy on humanity. He saw that the enemy had stripped us of our righteousness in God and was moved with love and compassion. He came to remove any and all effects of the enemy, and to restore us back to health. He poured both wine and oil in us by sending the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and empower us to live our lives in Him. He paid the price, and guaranteed our debt not only for our past and present sins, but for any future sins as well. He died that we might live. He felt compassion and showed mercy everywhere he went and to everyone he met. He came to earth because of His love and compassion. His mercy is what makes it possible for us to put on our garments of salvation and praise. His mercy makes it possible for us to walk with our robe of righteousness firmly in place.

Throughout this whole encounter Jesus brings this man to a place of his own accountability. Everything He asks him and everything He tells him brings him to the question, "So which of the three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" The man's response reveals that he knows in his heart the right choice. "He who had mercy on him."  Jesus then simply responds with, "Go and do likewise."  Remember likewise means similarly in appearance or character. He now had to make some clear choices with his life. To live as he had before, justifying himself before men, or to live his life dying to self for the sake of those he meets. Jesus' words were not a suggestion, they were a command, and he now had a choice. A life concerned with his reputation or a life of ...Loving God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his strength, with all his mind, and to love his neighbors as himself.

Like this man we know what is the right thing to do. We too make a choice to walk on by, or to bend a knee and help. We too need to "Go and do likewise." After all we have His example to follow, and isn't it every believers hearts desire to reflect Jesus to those around us? To Go and do likewise.


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