The Joy of the Detour: Day 5 of Joy
He soothes your wounds.
Jesus took up the question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
— Luke 10:30-34 (CSB)
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notoriously dangerous. It was a steep, winding 18-mile descent known as the “Pass of Blood” because of the frequent robberies that took place there. In this parable, a man is stripped, beaten, and left half dead. Both a priest and a Levite walk past him on the other side of the road; they likely viewed the wounded man as a threat to their schedule, their safety, or their ceremonial purity. They let the fear of a messy situation create a boundary between them and someone in need.
But then comes the Samaritan. He was on a journey, meaning he had his own destination, his own schedule, and his own business to attend to. Yet, when he saw the broken man, he didn’t see an inconvenience; he felt compassion.
This story reveals that true joy is found when we are willing to be interrupted. We often protect our schedules fiercely, believing that happiness lies in perfect control over our time. But Jesus offers a different blueprint. Joy is not self-contained; it is active and outward. It is the deep satisfaction that comes from reflecting the heart of Christ by stepping into someone else’s storm. The Samaritan didn’t just offer sympathy; he offered his resources, his transportation, and his own money.
When you have the confidence that your own future and eternity are secure in Jesus, you no longer have to live protectively. You are free to get your hands dirty, take a detour, and bring healing to a broken world.
The 90/10 Rule of the Detour
[read this article to learn more about the 90/10 rule]
The 10%: The interruption, the cost, and the mess of stepping into someone else’s struggle.
The 90%: The opportunity to show the heart of the Good Shepherd and experience the joy of being an instrument of His mercy.
When you focus on the 10 percent, you will always walk by on the other side to protect your comfort. When you give the 90 percent of your attention to the privilege of representing Jesus, a messy detour becomes a source of joy.
Today, be on the lookout for a “holy interruption.” It might not be a physical emergency, but it could be a coworker who needs to talk, a neighbor who needs a hand, or a family member who needs extra patience. Instead of viewing it as a disruption to your plan, view it as an invitation to experience the joy of the detour.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being the ultimate Good Samaritan who didn’t walk past my brokenness but stepped into my mess to save me. I confess that I am often stingy with my time and energy. Give me the courage and the carefree joy to be interrupted today. Help me to keep my eyes open for those who are hurting and use me to bring Your healing and hope to them. Amen.
View all messages in the series at: www.faithsaves.us/t/joy-series-faith-saves-us