“And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” (Luke 10:32)

The next person to come across the injured man was a Levite. While not a priest, this man came from the same family where priests did. His religion was one of heritage and traditional. He “fulfilled” his religious duties as a matter of culture.

Rather than helping this man in need, he passes by on the other side of the road just like the priest did.


Not knowing whether the man was dead or not, he didn’t want to take the chance of touching him. It was not forbidden for men to touch dead bodies according to the law. However, if he did touch the body, he would have to stay away from others for seven days.

This was way too inconvenient.

Our formal practice of religion, as well as our helping of others, should not be regulated by what is convenient for us personally. We should practice thankful discipleship even when it doesn’t “fit our schedule.”

Do we help others only when it fits our schedule or do we help as the need comes before us?

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” (Proverbs 3:27-28)