September 2008
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BEAT UP by the HARD UP PASSED UP by the MESSED UP
PASSED UP by the DRESSED UP PICKED UP by the FIXED UP
PAID UP by the PRAYED UP
"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves,
which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded, and departed, leaving him half dead. by chance there came down a certain priest
that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked
on him, 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, went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an
inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto
him, Take care of him; and whatsoever you spend more, when I come again, I will repay you.
Which now of these three, do you think , was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? he said,
He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do likewise . Luke 10:30-37
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BEAT UP by the HARD UP PASSED
UP by the MESSED UP
L ove
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
A familiar story to everyone, it is called the parable of the "Good Samaritan". This
may have been more than a parable, it may have been a recent event that was in the news. It was a likely story. The road from
Jericho to Jerusalem was often traveled by priests who lived in Jericho but ministered in Jerusalem. The Levites, who served
the priests were also common on the road. Perhaps Jesus is re-counting an incident but either way He is illustrating a greater
truth thru the story.
A certain man was attacked, beaten robbed and left for dead. Who were the thieves? Arabian
highwaymen? Whether they were Arabians, plunderers, that lived by spoil, some criminals his own nation, or some of the Roman
soldiers, who, despite the strict discipline of their army, did this harm, it is not clear; but they were HARD UP. Virtually
always those who BEAT UP are the HARD UP. They are most often the ones who were first victims of life's hardships. In today’s
situation it likely would have been a "gang" related crime. There is a just indignation that rises within us when we hear
of such crimes. The calloused hatred of such people stir a righteous anger within us.
Regardless, the man needed help. He was likely a Jew and it would be helpful to him if
someone of his own nation and religion would come by.
A priest came by. He saw him and could not help but discern his desperate need. His bloody
body and groans...the priest had to know. What a MESSED UP heart the priest had. A man of public character and religious prominence;
a man who professed sanctity, whose office obliged him to tenderness and compassion (See Hebrews 5:1,2), who ought to have
taught others such a case as this...PASSED UP by the MESSED UP!
What a horrible feeling he must have had if he was conscious...a priest turned away from
him. Surely the priest was justifying his actions...he was tired and was on his way home, no one was looking, his reputation
was not at stake...he was MESSED UP in his relationship to God and to himself and others. Listen, the are some MESSED UP hearts
in the lives of so-called FIXED UP people.
Now comes the Levite, he not only saw the hurting man, he "looked upon him". He surveyed
the damage, maybe made eye contact. But quickly got as far away as possible, as if to say "I did not know". Maybe he was too
important. He was part of the DRESSED UP society. Knowing better but doing it anyway. Compassion was part of his daily learning
and teaching. The BEAT UP by the HARD UP was now PASSED UP by the MESSED UP and the DRESSED UP.
PASSED UP by the DRESSED UP
PICKED UP by the FIXED UP
PAID UP by the PRAYED UP
The Bible says he was half-dead. I’m guessing the Priest and the Levite perceived
that the situation required more than they were willing to give. It would be more than just helping him to his feet. It would
mean time, effort and money. It is interesting that whenever Jesus is asked "difficult" questions, He simply says, "Love me
and then love your neighbor as yourself." The Word emphasizes that this SUMS UP the commandments of God!
Who is this so-called "good Samaritan"? He could have been "DRESSED UP", but he wasn’t
MESSED UP. A good Samaritan in reality would have been one that kept the law, that obeyed the commandments. Today there are
only a few hundred Samaritans located in Nablus about 40 miles north of Jerusalem. Of course, you know of the Samaritan woman
in John 4. The issue is not that the man was a Samaritan but that he obeyed God’s law and that his heart had connection
with God’s heart. He could not help but show compassion. God is Love!
This man PICKED UP the BROKEN UP. He loved the unlovely, it is obvious that this man
already had a relationship to God. He was FIXED UP. A good sign of a FIXED UP heart is compassion. Not caring is an obvious
sign of a MESSED UP heart.
Not only did he PICK UP the wounded man. He GAVE UP his own comfort, he put the man on
"his own beast". GAVE UP his own time and money. PAID UP his medical needs and his room and board.
It is often we feel that we don’t MEASURE UP. But in reality, God has not asked
much of us. To love Him with all of our mind, heart and soul and to love others as we love ourselves. Anyone who has been
CLEANED UP by the Blood of Jesus Christ can STEP UP and be obedient.
Thank you as always for helping support this ministry. We have great reports from our
services in Perryton and from prison services in Jacksboro and Bridgeport.
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Just for Jesus,
Don
Special
Night of Ministry
At the Historic Old Bedford School
Saturday September 13 7:00
On Bedford Road 3 blocks west of Central Dr
His
Presence Makes the Difference
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