"Now by chance a priest was going down the road, and when he saw him he
passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the
place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he
journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had
compassion." Luke 10:31-33
Some people enjoy Jesus' parable about
the Good Samaritan. There are others who might find the Lord's story is
a bit too close for comfort.
Case in point: an elderly woman who
was trapped in her burning car at a Chevron station in Portland, Oregon.
The station had any number of people there, but those people -- like the
priest and the Levite in Jesus' illustration -- decided to remain
uninvolved and pass by on the other side.
No, that's not exactly
right. Passing by would have been better than what they were doing.
These people -- there were six of them -- were using their cell
phones and taking movies of the fire, the car, and the imminent demise
of the little old lady. In contrast to them was good-deed doer,
19-year-old Philippe Bittar. This young Good Samaritan took a look at
the situation and made a snap decision. He said, "I wasn't really
thinking, I just saw her and knew I had to get her out of there before
it gets worse." Bittar, who was a high school linebacker, used his fist
and smashed the window with a single punch.
He reached in and
pulled the lady to safety.
No sooner was the lady out of the car
then the flames began shooting out of the car's front seat. The woman
was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and Bittar was treated
on the scene for cuts to his hand.
And so things ended happily
ever after.
Well, not really. You see, out in Ohio, another man
also decided to videotape rather than help two teenagers who were
severely injured in a car accident. Rather than providing assistance to
the young adults, one of whom died at the scene, the man captured the
tragedy on film.
And then he tried to sell the footage to a local
television channel.
It is my hope these video-tapers weren't
Christians. You see, we are incredibly blessed people. We are blessed
because we have a Savior who taught us how to love. Even though the
world didn't want Him and didn't accept Him, Jesus came into this world
to rescue us. Here He gave His life so that all who are brought to Holy
Spirit-given faith are cleansed of their sins and granted a place in the
Father's family of life.
In response to the Savior's loving
sacrifice, believers are given the opportunity to love their neighbors,
which includes the folks who live next door and little old ladies in
burning cars and teenagers who had an accident.
As the Bible
says, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
THE
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me honor You by being a Good Samaritan rather
than a bad spectator. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken
Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
