Plumb Line

33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10:33-34)

The story of the good Samaritan is well known, and remains as challenging today as when Jesus told it. In the story, a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was robbed and beaten. As he lay injured on the side of the road, a priest and a Levite (an assistant to a priest) both saw the man and passed by without assisting him. But when a man from Samaria saw the injured man he stopped and helped him.

As we travel the road of life, we are all at risk of feeling beaten down and robbed of our joy and peace. But we are our brother's keeper. We are charged with ensuring that no one is left on the side of the road. We can not be like the priest and Levite - so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. Instead, we are called to be Samaritans - outcasts helping outcasts. But we know that when God holds up the plumb line to measure us against God’s righteousness we will fall short. We do fall short. We miss opportunities to pull one another out of the ditch. We don't trust that, when we reach out, we will be pulled from the ditch.

By God's grace, may we strive to be better caretakers of each other, and be open to receiving care from one another.

In memory of Brian "Monte" Edwards

Dec. 31, 1978 - July 9, 2019

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

8 And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; (Amos 7:8)