By: Carole L. Haines
30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10:30-37)
It is not unusual for my husband to be found helping anyone around him whom he sees has a need. I have been with him on several occasions where he sensed someone in a restaurant was hungry or in need financially. He would get up and give them all the cash we had with us. He has a heart of gold that I have been blessed with for the last 40 years of our life together. This June we celebrate 38 years. He’s a true gem in a world of fake diamonds.
Two weeks ago, he was on his way home from work when he had to change to an alternate route because of traffic jams. Our youngest son works with him and so he was there to see this. They passed by a man laying on the side of the road with his feet literally laying in the highway. They turned the car around to check on the guy, leery of what they may discover. But when my husband approached him, the man stirred groggily from sleep. The man said he needed to get to a town nearby.
Without hesitation, my husband offered him a ride and off the 3 went to this town. They dropped the man off and he said he didn’t need anything else, so they finished making their way home to me. God is always watching over us, and he led Bruce to pass by this man that day. Bruce didn’t pass by on the other side of the road, like in the good Samaritan story, he went right to him..
As a woman, this would not be an especially safe thing to do, and I would wisely not have stopped. But for my son and husband, God led them there. He has been a true example to me. I usually don’t carry cash, but countless times, when I just happened to have some, God would have me cross the path of a person in need and I’d give it to them.
“Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” (Hebrews 13:1-3)
Jesus, help us to see those around us who are hurting and in need. Guide us not to be so afraid, but to trust You to take care of us as we reach out to care for others. Holy Spirit, enable us to be Jesus’ hands and feet on this earth. Help us all to be true life Good Samaritans. Amen
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