Listen here: https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=13511890
Last week in church I was hoping to administer the sacrament of baptism to a little one. We had to reschedule as unfortunately Covid had invaded the household and they were quarantined.
Needing something to replace that part of the service, the reading for the day was the parable of the Good Samaritan.
"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by 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, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii 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.’
Jesus asked, "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 the same." "
I looked at a few ideas for children's talks ... but none of them really resonated. Then I recalled I had written a song about this passage some years ago, so decided to share that. This was literally the Adrian song of the week. lol.
It was originally composed by a small group of us at a Moreton youth group reunion weekend held at Trefeca college in Mid-Wales back in the mid 1980's. I forget the exact circumstances, or who helped write it, but I know we had that passage as our theme.
I do recall not doing much with it after the retreat but then needing it for some other youth week purpose and having to rearrange it so I could perform it solo. Sometime later I decided to record a version of it.
It is strange how very few Christian songs are written about parables that Jesus told. There are oodles of worship tunes and doctrinal based masterpieces, but not as many that focus on the practical side of serving each other and caring for folk less fortunate than ourselves.
The story of the good Samaritan is a classic. The Jewish group Jesus addressed really did not get along with Samaritans. The very idea of a 'good' Samaritan would have caused some of them to laugh out loud.
When Jesus spoke about the hypocrisy of the priest and the Levite there would be those thinking, "Awesome. Jesus is calling those religious hypocrites out and showing them up for who they really are."
But the end is such a sting in the tale. Not only do the actions of one considered as an enemy become a source of inspiration but the story invites us to consider what we are practically doing to help those who are in the worst of circumstances.
'Go and do the same' invites Jesus. It's not an invitation to believe in anything. Or to have a faith in something. It's a simple statement. There are people who need help. Go and help them. It doesn't matter who they are or who you are, what they believe or what you believe. Everybody can help somebody. Just be a good neighbor.
It really is that simple.
Go and do the Same
1) He's down and out, He's downright lonely,
The life we love passes him by.
Then someone took the time,
To offer a helping hand,
Picked him up and put him back on his feet again.
Go and do the same
Go and do the same
Be a neighbor in His name
Go and do the same
2) She overdosed, She's over done it,
And people wonder who is to blame,
Then someone took the time,
To offer a healing hand,
Picked her up and put her back on her feet again.
CHORUS
3) He sits alone, He sits so lonely,
Surrounded by the careless crowd.
Then someone took the time,
To try and understand,
Picked him up and put him back on his feet again.
CHORUS
