Introduction: A Call to the Harvest
Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” This call remains relevant today. The world is full of people in need—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The question is, will we step up to be laborers in His harvest?
The Story of the Good Samaritan
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man is beaten and left for dead, ignored by a priest and a Levite, but helped by a Samaritan—someone from a group despised by the Jews. The Samaritan sees past social divisions, offers care, and ensures the man’s well-being. Jesus ends with a command: “Go and do likewise.” But how can we do this in today’s world?
5 Ways to Be a Good Samaritan Today…
1. Dare to Cross the Street
In a world where it’s easy to ignore people in need, be the one who stops to help. Everyone has imperfections, but God sees their potential. Matthew 16:13-18 reminds us that Jesus saw Peter not just as a flawed man, but as a rock upon which He would build His church.
Encouragement: In Greek, it means “to put courage into.” Your kind words can bring out the best in others.
2. Build Bridges Through Friendship
People are drawn to Christ not just by words but by love in action.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT) says, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.”
True Story: A Buddhist Student Comes to Christ
A Buddhist exchange student lived with a Christian family. Though uninterested in faith, she experienced their kindness daily. On her last Sunday, she surprised everyone by accepting Christ. Why? “My host sister built a bridge from her heart to mine, and today, I let Jesus walk over it.”
3. Listen Deeply
James 1:19 (AMP): “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”
Tip: The road to the heart is through the ears. Ask people about their lives, their passions, and their struggles. Genuinely listen.
4. Speak Words of Life
Proverbs 16:24: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”
Our words have power—use them to uplift, not tear down. Let go of sarcasm, and intentionally encourage those around you.
Illustration: The Bigger & Better Game
A boy playing “Bigger & Better” started with a dime. He traded up until he had a mattress, a ping-pong table, an elk head, and finally—a drivable truck!
Lesson: Every time you choose encouragement over criticism, you’re “trading up” for a bigger and better life.
5. Change People’s “Tags”
In WWII, wounded soldiers were given colored tags: red (minor wounds), white (urgent care needed), and blue (too far gone). A nurse saw a soldier with a blue tag—marked as beyond saving—but she chose to sit with him, offering comfort. Over time, against all odds, he recovered. Someone had changed his “tag.”
Matthew 16:18: Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, showing his true identity in Christ.
People may wear invisible “tags”—labels of failure, rejection, or unworthiness. But through encouragement and love, we can help rewrite their story.
Conclusion: Go and Do Likewise
Jesus calls us to be modern-day Good Samaritans. Whether through encouragement, acts of friendship, deep listening, kind words, or changing someone’s “tag,” we can make a lasting impact. The harvest is plentiful—will you answer the call?
Recent Comments