Just recently I visited a country whose language was foreign to me. While looking for something in particular, I met a very friendly young woman who could speak my language and was able to assist me. She didn't leave it at that; she invited me into her home and prepared me a delicious meal. Later she helped me become better acquainted with the country. She reminded me of the good Samaritan in Christ Jesus' parable because of the great lengths she went to help me.
As I have thought about what gives church its strength and vitality, it has struck me that this well-known parable has much to say about how we are individually building church.
The story of the good Samaritan tells us of a man who "fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead." Two passersby had ignored him. But when the Samaritan saw him, "he had compassion on him." Luke 10:30, 33 His compassion left him no choice but to help the wounded man.
