| Stripped and Beaten - article by Joel Hempel Even if you are not a Christian with little to no knowledge of Scripture, you likely know the story of the Good Samaritan.1 It's a story about unconditional love and going out of our way to help a stranger in need. The parable of the Good Samaritan was turned on its head for me in a book by Matt Smerthurst when he wrote, ". . . We are like the dying man on the side of the road-spiritually dead in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:5)." Then, quoting Tim Keller, "Jesus is the Great Samaritan."2 How much time do you spend thinking about what Jesus did for us? If you are anything like me, not much! But for the next few minutes, consider this: You and I were spiritually beaten, stripped, and left for dead along the side of the road. I know that is hard to wrap our minds around since most of us have been Christians our entire lives and can't identify with someone who is spiritually left for dead. On the other hand, if you are aware of how messed up you would be without God's forgiveness, how impotent you are now without his help, and how hopeless life would be without the promise of eternity with Jesus, then - like me - you know you are one God-blessed baptism, one Spirit-induced confession of faith away from lying helpless in a ditch! For the past couple of weeks, many of us have been studying Bible passages that remind us of Christ's sacrifice of love and his appeal for us to live similar lives of love and service. However, most of us recognize that ongoing, faithful, and sacrificial living is humanly impossible. It's idealistic to seriously consider. Jesus says he wants us to be united in faith, hope, love, and mission.3 Jesus says he wants us to be his disciples; to love one another "just as" he has and continues to love us.4 Jesus says he wants us to be faithful, loving witnesses to unbelievers and wandering believers.5 If you are anything like me, our Lord's will – His dream for us – is a life too extreme and unrealistic - UNLESS by His grace we are able to hold His suffering and death in our hearts, UNLESS His love fills our being, UNLESS the love of God opens our hearts and arms to those in need. Thank God our Great Samaritan! 1. Luke 10:25-37 2. Tim Keller on the Christian Life, Matt Smethurst, Crossway, page 113 3. John 15:1-7; Hebrews 10:23-25; Acts 4:32-37 4. John 17:1-3, 20-26 5. Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 10:1-23; 1 Peter 3:15 | 
