SOURCE: https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/hope-and-despair-rembrandts-good-samaritan
KEYWORDS: Rembrandt, Samaritan, Inn, Least, Love, Compassion, Care
In 1633, Rembrandt produced an etching of the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The artist depicts the moment the Samaritan brings the beaten and battered man to the inn. The scene is surprising. The inn is cracked and worn. A man casually looks out the window. A woman draws water from a well, and a dog defecates in the foreground.
Life is messy. There is ugliness, poverty, apathy, and distraction. However, we are called in the midst of ugliness to show compassion and mercy. Elsewhere in the gospels, Jesus declares what you do for the least you do for me (Matthew 25:40). In that parable, Jesus commends simple acts of kindness--giving food, drink, clothing, or a visit.
Rembrandt may be reminding us that the beauty we bring into the world will never change the ugliness that still exists. Nonetheless, what we do matters. Our acts of love will make a difference for the man on the side of the road. In our small way, we point to Christ as the one who redeems the world.
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