religiousaffections

I was encouraged by J.C. Ryle’s thoughts on this parable - 

Again, the object of this parable is to show the nature of true charity and brotherly love.  We are taught, first, in this parable, how rare and uncommon is true brotherly love.  Our Lord tells us of a traveler who fell among thieves, and was left naked, wounded, and half dead on the road.  He then tells us of a priest and a Levite, who, one after the other, came travelling that way, and saw the poor wounded man, but gave him no help.  Both were men, who from their office and profession, ought to have been ready and willing to do good to one in distress.  But both, in succession, were too selfish to offer the slightest assistance.  They both passed by on the other side.  We have in this striking description, an exact picture of what is continually going on in the world.  Selfishness is the leading characteristic of the great majority of mankind. 

That cheap charity which costs nothing more than a trifling subscription or contribution, is common enough.  But that self-sacrificing kindness of heart, which cares not what trouble is entailed, so long as good can be done, is a grace which is rarely met with.  Let us beware of expecting much from the kindness of man.  If we do, we shall certainly be disappointed.  The longer we live the more clearly we shall see that few people care for others except from interested motives and that unselfish, disinterested, pure brotherly love, is as scarce as diamonds and rubies.  How thankful we ought to be that the Lord Jesus is not like man!  His kindness and love are unfailing.  He never disappoints any of His friends.  Happy are they who have learned to say “My soul, wait thou only upon God my expectation is from Him.”    

We should seek to be the friend of every one who is oppressed, or neglected, or afflicted, or sick, or in prison, or poor, or an orphan, or a heathen, or a slave, or an idiot, or starving, or dying.  We should exhibit such worldwide friendship, no doubt, wisely, discreetly, and with good sense, but of such friendship we never need be ashamed.  The ungodly may sneer at it as extravagance and fanaticism.  But we need not mind that. To be friendly to all men in this way is to show something of the mind that was in Christ.