You have heard the parable of the good Samaritan1. The man who was travelling down a dangerous road and saw a Jew robbed and beaten. The Samaritan should have stopped to kick the Jew while he was down and mock him for the Jewish people’s arrogance, or the Samaritan should have ignored him and hurried on like the best the Jew’s people, a priest and a Pharisee. Yet the Samaritan did none of these things but instead bound the Jew’s wounds and cared for him.
Now suppose this Samaritan became king of the whole area with the road and the inn, and one day while reigning he remembered that dangerous road. So he summoned three servants who had been similarly accosted and rescued and sent them to that road saying: “Go see if there is anyone who needs help.”
The first servant went out and returned to his master with this report: “Master I know that your salvation, kingdom and compassion are of utmost importance so I went out in search of people to tell and I found a man beaten and forlorn. Having your compassion I said to him “Take heart for there is a new king, one who is gracious and compassionate who now owns this road. Soon such wrongs as you have faced will be ended. Moreover I was in a similar situation to you and he came and had compassion on me, bandaging my wounds and caring for me. So take heart and call out to him and he will surely rescue you.” So master I fully proclaimed the good news of your kingdom and love to him.”
The master replied: “Good, now where is he?” And the servant answered “Oh I left him there so you could have compassion on him.” And the servant added “How long, mater, till you have mercy?”
What will the master say to that servant? He will say: “You wicked and merciless servant you do not know what my kingdom or compassion mean or the bitterness of beautiful words heard through a broken ear2. But so you may learn…” he turned to those around him and commanded “Seize him, beat him and throw him out onto that road!”
The second servant returned to his master with this report: “Master I have experienced your love first hand and delight to be in your kingdom, so I set out to show that goodness to others. Along the road I found a man beaten and forlorn so I got off my donkey and bandaged his wounds and carried him to the inn to recover. So, master, I showed him your compassion and kingdom.”
The master replied: “Good, now where is he?” And the servant answered “He went on his way. Once he could speak we chatted along the way. He asked why I showed him compassion, but I avoided the topic out of respect for him and fear of pride.”
What will the master say to that servant? He will say: “You wicked and proud servant. You knew my compassion and the wonder of being in my kingdom yet in pride and fear would not guide one who was asking into it, but so that you may learn the value of guidance…” he turned to those around him and commanded “Seize him and throw him into a dark place and do not guide him out!”
The third servant returned to his master with this report: “Master I set out as you commanded and found a man beaten and forlorn. I bandaged his wounds and cared for him even as you cared for me. Along the way I encouraged him with the good news of your love and your kingdom and the testimony of what you have done for me.”
The master replied: “Good, now where is he?” And the servant answered “Master here he is, for when he felt compassion and heard the good news about you he longed to come into your kingdom to thank you and ask to dwell here, so he followed me right up to the door of this chamber. Let me call him in.”
What will the master say to that servant? He will say: “Well done good and faithful servant for you have been like me in deed and have loved me so that your words overflowed 3. Now have this honour: manage the road and the inn for me. Bring about the hope you have proclaimed in my name and with my power.”