July 17, 2022
On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ Luke 10:35
Our Samaritan Friend personally took care of him (v.34) until it was time for him to depart. He then delegated the care to the innkeeper as he gave him two denarii. If the inn is a metaphor for the church, then the door is opened for seeking out other metaphors. One denarius was one day’s wage for a Roman soldier. The two denarii may indicate an estimated two days’ time before the Samaritan comes again.
There is a time-concept in Biblical theology called the “millennial week” which is seven “days” of a thousand years each. This time period is considered a frame for earth’s history from God’s point of view. It is based on verses such as:
For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 3 Peter 3:8
Thus, the command “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you” could be taken as a directive to the church to follow his example in caring for the wounded. The history of the New Testament church is approaching two thousand years of existence. This time period parallels days five and six in the millennial week. We are nearing the end of day six! Day seven is the millennium: one thousand years with Jesus in the heavenly city. The phrase “when I come again” takes our minds to this promise: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself…” (John 14:2b-3a)
Following His humble upbringing in Galilee, the life of Jesus was crowned with three and a half years of ministry among the people, including the sick and dying, and training for His disciples along the way. He then laid down His life in our place, suffering for our sin. Is there any amount of effort or energy or time or money that we could spend for the care of the wounded that could be considered too much? What is the value of a life? In the eyes of the Lord, it is infinite.
In the great parable of the Good Samaritan, we are all the wounded man who was left half dead. Let us consider that our wounds may be aided in healing by our loving attention to the wounds of others. There is not much time left for this fallen world. May each of us be energized to do His work by gratitude for what He has done already and His glorious plan for an endless future with Him!
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12