He Gets Us: Who Did Jesus Love? | Plan 4Sample

Jesus loved the compassionate one.

Sometimes, Jesus just surprises you. If you watch his life, you’ll be amazed by what he said, by how he acted, by what got his attention, and by who he loved. Even more shocking, sometimes people surprised themselves in how they acted around him. It’s like they went a little crazy—in a good way.

One time Jesus shocked a crowd with a story about their enemy. As a rule, Jews couldn’t stand to be in the same room with anyone from Samaria. Or even in the same town with them. They walked miles out of their way just to avoid running into one.

That day, Jesus told them a story about a Samaritan on his way to Jerusalem. (How could Jesus be so culturally insensitive?) But his story had a twist. This enemy to the Jewish people came across a Jewish man—beaten, robbed, and left for dead on the side of the road. Unlike the religious men who had come along first, who stepped over the suffering man on their way to worship, this Samaritan stopped, got the Jewish man out of the ditch and likely saved his life. He cleaned his wounds, got him a hotel, and paid for a nurse to look in on him as he healed up. And then the Samaritan promised on his return trip to pay for any costs incurred. He loved the Jewish man like a neighbor, even like family. He didn’t even know him yet he cared for him, and it shocked everyone.

Why do you think this neighbor risked acting in such an extreme way? Some might call him crazy. Maybe he could love like this because he knew how Jesus would react. And when you know you’re loved, you can be risky.

Be a little crazy conscious today. In honor of this great example, do something extravagantly kind. Do something that will make someone smile, inside and out.