In his book, “The Five Love Languages”, Gary Chapman suggests that different people give and receive love in diverse ways. Some find the giving of gifts to be important. For others, it is simply spending time together. Acts of service communicate love to many. Hearing words of affirmation or a simple touch speaks love to others. However, whatever your particular “love language” is, it is always demonstrated in action.
Amazingly, this is not a new concept to God. Since He is the author of genuine love, He has good handle on what love should look like. When Jesus was giving his final instructions to those who had followed him in this life, he said something amazing. He told them in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus illustrated this truth when a curious man came to him with this question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This expert in the law revealed something important about himself. He knew that he should obey the commandments to love God and love your neighbor, however, he had allowed this truth to get into his head, but he had not allowed it to penetrate to his heart. As he recognized this, Jesus told a story to help him understand exactly what it means to be a disciple. The account is found in Luke 10:25-37.
This is the parable of the Good Samaritan. The gist of this teaching is so widely understood that the phrase “Good Samaritan” has become popular in our culture. Many use it not even aware that it is a biblical teaching. But it is importance to our lives as godly men cannot be overstated.
The truth of the message of Jesus is this, we must fulfill the command to love God which is demonstrated in our love for others. His main characters are an injured Jew who is ignored by his fellow countrymen, and a Samaritan, who is hated by the Jews. His purpose is to show us that our love for others is not to be determined by our feelings for them. We are to show love, even to the unlovable.
Jesus taught that this involves recognizing the needs of others. Verse 33, But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. The story begins with a sad picture of people who should have cared, simply ignoring the situation. Why they made this choice is not important. The point is, they missed an opportunity to show God’s love. Discipleship does not necessarily require us to search out people to whom we can show love. It is keeping our eyes open to the hurt that is all around us and responding appropriately.
Actively showing love means putting others first. Verse 34, He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. Unlike the priest and the Levite, he had no moral obligation to be involved. In fact, just the opposite was true. The wounded man was a Jew so the Samaritan could have easily justified turning his back and moving on. He put aside his prejudice; he put aside his own safety; and chose to show love to a person whom he had never met. Putting the needs of others, even if it costs us time or treasure, is God’s perfect plan for his people.
We show love by meeting the needs of others completely. Verse 35, 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ This is how men will know that we are Disciples, if we love one another. And according to Jesus, this means more than just saying so.