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Speaker 1: Therefore be merciful, even as your father is also merciful. Luke ten thirty six, Dear Lord, thank you for your abundant grace and mercy that never fates. Although we were once sinners, lost and far from you, we were given mercy.
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Speaker 2: Lord.
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Speaker 1: May we never be people who withhold mercy from others. We want to be moved with compassion and good neighbors to those around us. Empower us with kindness and harm us with good attitudes. Remind us that everyone is worthy of dignity, respect, and compassion. Move us and transform our hearts with your love. In Jesus name, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, Prepare to immerse yourself in a dramatic retelling of Christ's most iconic parables. If this podcast has brought value to your faith, we'd love it if you left a review and shared it with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world, because when Jesus' story is told, lives are transformed.
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Speaker 3: Ezra lipped to his feet and tried to run, but the shorter man struck him in the back with his stick. He fell face first in the dirt and winced in pain. The taller man lifted Ezra by his tunic and punched him in the ribs before throwing him against the stones. They ripped his back from him, removing his purse, and began beating him senseless. Azra shouted for help, but nobody heard his cries. You beg for mercy, but there was no room in Zephyl's corrupt heart. They beat Ezra in such a way that he hoped to die. The pain was unbearable, and each moment felt like a lifetime. He felt his bones break, he felt his ribs crack, He felt all the strength in his arms leave him as he desperately pulled away. Finally, the men stopped, not out of mercy, but because the job had been done. Zebel took one of the fig cakes out of the pack and took a bite. With his mouth full, He patted Ezra on the head and said, thanks for the lunch, my friend. I pray you'll find your way safely back to Jericho. Watch out for the Samaritans out there. The three men chuckled and escaped back into the shadows. Ezra lae there, bones cracked, and muscles bruised. His face was swollen and bloody beyond recognition. Every breath brought a sharp pain shooting through his lungs. With every ounce of strength he had left, he dragged himself around the corner, desperately trying to get back to the road. He made it to the bottom of the hill, but it took everything out of him. He propped himself up on one of the rocks, straining to get back up, but his strength failed and he slipped back. He hit his head on the ground below the sun's harsh rays was seated behind the hills. The cool bite of night whistled into the canyons. Ezra lay there, slowly losing consciousness. He looked up at the road, so close, yet so far. Finally, as the sun descended over the hills, Ezra fell asleep. I'm sure if he would awake the next morning.
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Speaker 4: Who is my neighbor? That's the fundamental question Jesus is trying to answer through this parable. The story of the Good Samaritan flipped people's expectations upside down, exposing prejudice and called people to a higher ethic of love. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach frompray dot Com here to guide you through another brilliant parable told by Jesus. If this podcast has blessed you in any way, we'd love it if you left us a review. We want to hear how these stories have impacted your life and strengthened your walk with God. In our last episode, we met a man named Ezra. Ezra is a well meaning guy trying to get home from Jerusalem to Jericho. However, he's skeptical about a certain Samaritan on the road. Ezra looks for a familiar face and ultimately joins another Jew named Zavul. Zavol seems harmless, but Ezra swiftly found out that looks can be deceiving. Zavol lured Ezra down a dark path and his companions beat him near death. Now Ezra's cold and alone, wondering if he is going to die there on the road. A man is going to come to Ezra's aid, and that man is going to flip Ezra's expectations and prejudices upside down. Let's dive into part two of the Good Samaritan.
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Speaker 3: Ezra's eyes strained to open the harsh glare of the sun stung against his chapped face. He needed water, he needed food, He needed help. He didn't have the strength to pull himself up the jacket hill to the road. Deezer had any chance of survival, Someone needed to notice him. Payne shoked through his lungs as he rolled over to his side. His legs were broken, and his cracked ribs kept him from screaming for help. All he had was labored groans and whispered prayers. The day rolled on and Ezra fell in and out of consciousness. Visions of food and water faded in and out of view. His time was running out. Ezra looked up to the road and heard footsteps. Hope fluttered in his chest. He propped himself off with a little bit of strength he had left in him, and looked.
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Speaker 2: There was a priest, a.
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Speaker 3: Servant of the House of God, a Hebrew of Hebrews. Isra's heart pounded as he strained to get the priest's attention, help, help. His cries were murmurs in the dust, but they caught the priest's attention. The priest took a moment and peered down at Ezra. He used his hands to cover the harsh glare of the sun. Azrah could barely breathe, let alone explain what happened. The priest had a concerned look on his face. Ezra was sure that he would come down the hill and help him. Yet Ezra's surprise, the priest looked left, then right to see if anyone was watching, and then, when he was sure they weren't, he passed by on the other side of the road. Ezra painfully forced his head to tilt towards the road. The priest was on his way, briskly walking along, not even bothering to look back. A single tear streamed down Ezra's face, leaving a streak of dust and blood on his cheek. Ah, I'm done for, he thought. Then all went dark again. The sun was fixed in the middle of the cloudless Eastern sky. Buzzards flew overhead, awaiting the perfect moment to descend on Ezra's limp and nearly lifeless body. A group of Levites, men of God with noble heritage passed by on the road devoted to the temple and Jewish customs. They were pulling empty wagon to collect offerings from the towns of Jericho. As they passed, one of them noticed Ezra on the side of the road. He quickly scaled down the small, jagged path and bent down to examine him. Isra's eyes could barely make out the silhouette of the Levite.
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Speaker 2: You are in bad shape, sir.
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Speaker 3: The Levied mumbled. He looked up at his party continuing down the road without him. Ezra thought was sure the Levied would help him, But to his dismay, the Levite simply got up and continued down the road without him. The Levit thought to himself, if I stopped to help this man, will it's going to delay our entire day. We have a mission to carry out. The Levite considered the inconvenience, but then shook his head and marched up the path to catch up to his party. Ezra turned and tried to shout wait, wait, His parched tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. The man wouldn't even bother to give him what. Ezra's body began to shake as he watched yet another Jewish kin fade out of view. He had no more tears to shed. His body was fading into nothing. Soon the sun would take his life and he'd be food for the vultures. Circling above. Ezra awoke again to the sound of footsteps. This time it was the sound of a man and a donkey. The sun's descending rays glared into his eyes, preventing him from seeing the figure above. Ezra noticed the shadowed silhouette of a tall man looking down at him. The man descended the jagged hill with grace and leaned down to examine Ezra.
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Speaker 2: My friend, what has happened to you?
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Speaker 3: The voice asked with warm concern. Ezra knew that voice, he had heard that accent. He opened his eyes wider to see the design on his tunic and beard. This man was none other than the Samaritan from the market place. Now Ezra was confident that he was done for. If it wasn't going to be the son of the vultures that killed him, it would certainly be the Samaritan dog looking to get back at another jew. Panic led Ezra to breathe heavily, but his body was too weak to fight. His head became light, his throat clenched, and once again he blatted out. But you'll never believe what happened next. The Samaritan took the water skin strapped to his side and held it to Ezra's lips.
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Speaker 2: Flind your life depends on it.
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Speaker 3: Esra could barely move. The Samaritan propped his head up and poured the water past his lips.
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Speaker 2: Slowly.
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Speaker 3: Esra's throat opened and received the water. The Samaritan mumbled something and then charged up the hill again. Ezra was sure the man would leave him to die. After all, if the priest and the Levite had left him, then, of course the Samaritan dog would. The stranger rifled through his pack and retrieved a flask. He slid down the hill with urgency and uncorked the flask.
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Speaker 2: Oil. He murmured.
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Speaker 3: He poured some of the oil into Ezra's mouth. The taste of olives reminded him of the groves back home. If Ezra had the strength to cry, he would have. The Samaritan removed his cloak and made him a pillow. He rested his head down and went back up to his donkey. He retrieved some bandages and wine. He gently dressed his wounds and offered him SIPs of wine to numb the pain. What does your name, the Samaritan asked. Ezra was silent even as he bandaged and cared for him. Ezra couldn't help but worry about the Samaritan's intentions. His father warned him to never speak to a Samaritan, let alone help him. His father's words echoed in his head.
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Speaker 5: I don't care if you see a Samaritan woman in labor. If you see one, you walk on the other side of the Do you understand?
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Speaker 3: It was the sentiment of every respectable Jew. Out of pure instinct. Ezra remained silent. Smrton pursed his lips nodded, I see.
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Speaker 5: Well, my name means Jehu. I am going to lift you now. It will hurt Bud. I must get you out of here before dusk.
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Speaker 3: Jay, whose long arms wrapped around Ezra. With a grunt and a thrust of his legs, he lifted Ezra off the ground and marched up the jagged hill. The ground was shaky beneath jay Who's legs, but like a father holding a child, he strained to keep Ezra from falling out of his arms.
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Speaker 2: This man, the.
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Speaker 3: Very person Ezra had tried to avoid, turned out to be his salvation, Jay, who rested Ezra on the donkey and secured him tight. They walked the path back to Jerusalem. The wh made Ezra nasus, and he found himself once again straining to stay awake. Jay, who stopped now and then to examine his wounds and give him another sip of water. The sun's hash heet gave way to the cool breeze of the evening, Jay who led the donkey to an inn nearby, cradling Ezra in his arms. Jay who walked in and asked for a room.
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Speaker 5: Innkeeper, I need a room for my friend. He has been badly wounded.
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Speaker 3: The innkeeper scowled at the sight of a Samaritan.
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Speaker 2: We don't serve some meritants here. Dog, How do I know you didn't rob this man yourself. You don't need to serve me at.
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Speaker 3: All, Jay, who replied with a sigh.
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Speaker 5: I will leave this man here along with the deposit. I have plenty of coin to give you. Take care of him for me, and I will pay you even more when I return.
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Speaker 3: The innkeeper glared at Jehu, then looked at the purse hanging from his belt.
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Speaker 2: Very well, follow me.
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Speaker 3: The innkeeper led Jehu to a room tucked in the back. There was a cart made for one and a basin of water for washing. It wasn't much, but it was a pleasant respite from the jagged dirt and unrelenting sun. Jehu gently placed Ezra down and redressed his wounds. He hummed an old hymn while filling the basin with warm water. He dressed Ezra's wounds, brought him clean clothes, and placed his wine skin on the table.
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Speaker 5: I will need to leave now. I will leave plenty of money for the innkeeper. Once I finished my business in Jericho, I will return to pay him whatever extra it took to take care of you.
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Speaker 3: Ezra stared at Jehu for a long while. His eyes were tired and his entire body throbbed with intense Yet the thing that hurt most was his heart. He had yet to offer a thankful glance towards the Samaritan, let alone say anything. Prejudice and pride were brutal thorns to weed. Ezra closed his eyes and winced. A rush of gratitude and humility overcame him. Finally, the words trickled from Ezra's lips. Thank you. Those two words were a genuine outpouring of love for someone he had once considered an enemy his entire life. Thank you, Jehu, Samaritan paused his large frame blocked the room's entrance, allowing only a few slivers of light to shine through behind him, Jay, who nodded with a gentle smile.
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Speaker 2: You are wilcome.
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Speaker 3: Ezra. My name is Ezra.
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Speaker 2: You are wilcome Ezra.
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Speaker 3: Jay who finished with a final nod, he departed.
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Speaker 1: Jesus concluded his story and looked at the young lawyer with a tender smile. He said, now tell me.
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Speaker 3: Which of the three was a better neighbor, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan.
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Speaker 1: The lawyer was crushed and ashamed. The Samaritans were reviled and hated among the Jews. If there were anyone he would call exempt from love, it would be them.
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Speaker 3: I suppose it was the one who showed mercy.
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Speaker 2: He answered.
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Speaker 1: His voice had a tinge of guilt as he was forced to acknowledge a Samaritan as a neighbor. Jesus, knowing that he had made his point, placed a gentle hand on the man's shoulder.
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Speaker 3: Very good, you're a wise man. Now go and do likewise be a good neighbor.
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Speaker 1: Jesus stood and continued to to the rest of the sick He did not engage in the philosophical dialogue the lawyer had hoped. However, he gave him something that cut much deeper. He called him to a higher standard.
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Speaker 4: I want to tell you all a personal story. It's a story of when my wife and I were first married, moving into a tiny little apartment in Carpenteria, California. This apartment was five hundred square feet and you can only get to it by going through a narrow staircase. We had a couch that wasn't large, but was still large enough to require two people to lift it. My wife and I tried our best to get the right angles to get this couch into our apartment, but we failed each and every time. As it turns out, it needed more than two people to help. We struggled for hours trying to get this couch through the narrow staircase into our apartment. We were noon to town and had no one to call for help. That's why we got really excited when a couple from the same complex passed by. Both of them were wearing workout gear. It looks like that they were ready to go out on a run or walk to the gym. We tried our best to give subtle eye contact with them, giving our best puppy dog help us eyes and looks. They looked at us, waved, and then went on. There was another man who came out of the apartment complex next to us, who turned out to be our neighbor. He looked at us struggling and then went his own way. And then something unexpected happened. Walking along the sidewalk next to our apartment complex were two men, baggy jeans, baggy sweatshirts, hood over their heads, sharing a joint as they walked along the road. We didn't wave them down, we didn't give them those puppy dog eyes. We didn't think that they would help us. But as they saw us struggle, they jogged over to us and said, let us help you. And then they spent and I'm not joking, an hour and a half helping us trying to get this couch inside the doorway. These men give us their numbers, and they told us all of the awesome places to eat in town. They weren't people that we expected at all to help us out. And that's a little glimpse into what happened in today's story. Who is my neighbor? Is that the person with the same background as me? Is it the person who looks like me, talks like me, and agrees with all of my opinions. This parable told by Jesus tells us that kindness, sacrifice, and sharing the love of God bind people more than culture, creed or country. Ezra was beat near death and desperate for help, but that help didn't come from the usual suspects. The levites passed by and couldn't be bothered to help. The priest had sympathy, but he wouldn't inconvenience himself. These are figures of religious piety in societal respect, they should be the ones to help. Yet their responses, or lack thereof, to the suffering man pierce the veil of religiosity, revealing a heart wrenching truth. Knowledge of the law, positions of influence, and rituals of faith are rendered meaningless without the embodiment of love and compassion. James two reminds us that faith without works is dead. It's not enough to have all the right words, say the right prayers, and believe the right things. If our faith it doesn't compel us to compassion, then what use is it? Listen to James talk about faith and works as one and the same. What good is it, my brothers. If someone says he has faith but does not have works, can faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says him, go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving him the things that he needs for the body, what.
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Speaker 2: Good is that?
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Speaker 4: So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Someone will say I have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one you do well? Even the demons believe and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless. James is giving us a compelling truth. It's one thing to go to a hungry person and say, I'm gonna pray that you would be warmed and filled. I'm going to pray that a rotisserie chicken it falls magically from the sky and it falls right before your feet. And it's another thing entirely to go right into the grocery store and buy one yourself. James is saying that our prayers and our faith need to have some sort of leg behind them action. The excuses that these levites and priests might have conjured up resonate with the myriad of justifications we also give ourselves. I'm too busy, it's my place to help, or what would others think if I actually did that. These excuses revealed our apathy in the shallowness of our faith. Whether it be fear inconvenience or judgmental heart, these barriers obstruct the flow of God's love through us to those in need. The narrative takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of the Samaritan. This is something that a first century Jew would have never expected to happen. It's a twist in the story that would have shocked everyone who's listening, because Samaritans were hated back then. Samaritans were a figure of scorn and prejudice in the eyes of Jesus's original audience. It was even said that if a Samaritan woman is giving birth on the side of the road, that a Jew should just walk on the other side. That's how much the Jews hated Samaritans. We gave this man a name, Jehu, even though Jehu is a Samaritan and considered dangerous and second class to Jews.
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Speaker 2: He embodied the law of love.
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Speaker 4: More than the priest and more than the Levite. He cross societal boundaries and personal biases to tend to the wounds of a stranger. His actions, pouring out oil and wine, bandaging wounds, and ensuring ongoing care are tangible expressions of God's love. A love that knows no boundaries of culture, creed, race, or ethnicity. A love that doesn't care about class, A love that doesn't care about prejudice. A love that can break down petty divisions like political parties or area codes. This Samaritan, much like Jesus, steps into the messiness and brokenness of life, offering healing and hope. His example calls us to active, sacrificial and selfless love, challenging us to see every individual as our neighbor, worthy of compassion and aid. May we all be like Jehu, ignoring the scorn of others and doing what's right no matter what. What I love about the portrayal of the good Samaritan in the story is that we get to see Ezra's prejudice slowly melt away under the warmth of Jehu's kindness. Never underestimate the power of kindness. Romans two four says that Jesus's kindness leads us to repentance. This world is a divided place. There are issues to solve and injustices to address. My friends, hatred and judgment are not the answer to these problems, and of course we all know that, but it is harder to embody that as an ideal. It's an ethic of kindness, truth, and love that direct the hearts of people, even those we would consider enemies. Jesus concludes with a compelling directive to the young lawyer, go and do likewise. This command beckons us to This command beckons us beyond mere contemplation to actionable love. It invites us to view every encounter as an opportunity to be a neighbor, extend mercy, and embody Christ's love to others. In reflecting on the societal and personal implications of this parable, let's consider these questions. How do we respond to the needs before us, both in our immediate communities and in the wider world. Are there any prejudices or biases that hinder our ability to show compassion to people? How can we cultivate a heart that sees beyond societal divisions, recognizing the image of God in every individual. As we ponder these questions, let's pray for grace to embody the love and compassion of the Good Samaritan on our daily lives. May our actions reflect the transformative power of Christ's love, breaking down barriers and building bridges of hope and healing. May we be known not merely by the titles and doctrines we profess, but by our love, a love that acts, heals, and unites. Let us go forth, inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, to live out the Gospel in a world that desperately needs God. Our next episode will introduce us to two men with vastly different lives. One is a member of an exclusive club of religious elites. He's righteous, moral, and eloquent. The other is a betrayer of his people, a known sinner and a tax collector. They'll both offer their prayers to God, but only one will walk away blessed. Be sure to follow and subscribe to this podcast so you never have to miss an episode. And for more daily devotions, prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, visitpray dot com.