Daily Devotional

Shortly after my stint in the United States Marine Corps, I got a job working at P.F. Chang's as a backwaiter. And let me tell you, I loved my time at P.F. Chang’s. To my surprise, it reminded me a lot of the military. There was an extensive training program that all new employees went through. There was a clear hierarchy or rank structure for those who worked in the front of the house and those who worked in the back. There was even a precision to the way that we wrapped the eating utensils in the black napkins that reminded me of the 90-degree folds that had to be on the corners of our beds in basic training. 

Now, whether you’ve worked in a restaurant or just seen one on a show, one thing that you know for sure is that everyone has to pitch in. Hosts greet and seat customers, servers care for the customers, chefs cook the food, some staff wash dishes, and others clean and reset tables. There can be no success without many people’s contributions. Now imagine running a restaurant alone, while injured. Hosting, taking orders, cooking, cleaning…it’d be impossible without help. 

In the book of Luke, a leader stands to both test Jesus and justify himself by asking Jesus for clarity on who it is that he should be helping. Jesus responds by telling the parable of the good Samaritan. The story of a man who was attacked and left for dead on a dangerous road. A priest sees the man and just passes by. A religious leader sees the man and just passes by. The ones whom most people think should be the first to help went out of their way not to. But a Samaritan, a foreigner, an outcast, one whom the Jews wouldn’t even share eating utensils with, stopped and helped. And the question should shift for any listening audience, from “What must I do?” to “What would I want someone to do for me?” Each of us has a role to play in making our communities and relationships better by helping those around us because Jesus asks us to care for each other. 

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.