Battle Scars

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”—Luke 10:27

It’s been 10 days and they’re still there.  Battle scars, I call them.  One on each wrist.  I had received a call for help from a friend, but before I set out to assist, I checked the oil in my Jeep. The “Add” warning was clearly visible on the dipstick, so I went to the shed to retrieve a quart (or two!) of oil. I reached into the box and searing pain shot into my right wrist.  I cried aloud, as several angry wasps swarmed around me, one becoming entangled in my hair.  I swatted it away, and a second dose of pain shot through my left wrist.  Again I cried aloud and left the shed as quickly as I could before the fury escalated.

I made my way to the house without sustaining another blow and whipped up a remedy of baking soda and water.  I applied the paste to both wrists, and then poured both quarts of oil in the Jeep—enough to register in the “Safe” zone on the dipstick—and was on my way.

Later I thought about the wasp incident and how it could have been worse.  I also thought about my friend’s incident and how it too could have been worse.  But I had come to her rescue.

When a loved one hurts, we don’t think twice about rushing to their aid. But what about our neighbor, a stranger, or our enemy?  Do we rush to their aid?

In the book of Luke, Jesus told the familiar parable:

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 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. The 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.’

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”—Luke 10:30-37

Jews and Samaritans were fierce enemies, yet it was a Samaritan who came to the aid of the Jew who was beaten and robbed.  Are we willing to do the same—exert the effort and sacrifice our time and money? If we want to make a difference in someone’s life, it may be costly—even painful.  But the pain we endure may save our neighbor from greater pain, even death.

Before my conversion, sin kept me eternally separated from God.  But according to Romans 5:8, God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus saw me brokenhearted and dying.  He had compassion on me and came to my aid.  He poured in the oil and wine—His healing balm—and bandaged up my wounds (Psalm 147:3). Now I am in the “Safe” zone because Christ went to battle for me.  It’s been over 2000 years, and the battle scars are still there. One on each wrist.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much to send Your one and only Son Jesus, Who willingly endured pain on the cross, even unto death, so that I might live. Help me to love as You love so I may make an eternal difference in the life of my neighbor. Amen.