In continuing our story on the Good Samaritan, we find in Luke 10 that they “stripped him of his clothing, wounded him and departed leaving him half dead.”
About that time, “a certain priest” passed by. Jesus specifically states that he “saw him” and “passed by on the other side” of the road. Verse 32 describes a “Levite” who was a servant in the Temple and a minister of religious worship also “arrived at the place.” He literally stopped and “looked” but then “passed by on the other side.”
Although we marvel at the lack of compassion and care from two religious men, if we look closely, we may see their attitudes in our own lives. Let’s note several characteristics of uncaring people. May we self-examine as I write about them?
#1 Uncaring people are too INFLATED
This means that I am egotistical or self-centered. The “priest” and the “Levite” were busy, important men. Perhaps their minds were absorbed with their jobs in the Temple. Far too often we fail to care for those who are hurting because we don’t want any interruption in our own plans. We don’t comfort them or help them simply because we are too selfish.
#2 Uncaring people are too IMPETUOUS
We are always in a hurry – we never have any time. I believe both the “priest” and the “Levite” passed by because they were late for work. After all they had thousands of people depending on them in Jerusalem. How often we fail to listen to the concerns of others because we are simply too busy. Listen to someone today!