During children’s church a few weeks ago, Pastor Ben was teaching the kids about why we should help people and shared the story of the good Samaritan. Then he asked: “So what is the moral of the story? I mean, how should we treat people?”
Our wonderful three year old said, “Treat people the way you do with God.” That got me thinking – “he is right you know, but how do we relate to God? How do we treat God?” If God needed our help, would we answer or would we dare to walk away and pretend we didn’t see or hear? Thankfully, God is not man.
Then Pastor Ben asked another question: “how did the people behave when they saw the badly injured man?” They responded:
- The pastor saw him and ignored him.
- The church worker saw him and ignored him.
- Somebody who didn’t know him came to help him.
Somebody who serves God and supposed to be this righteous person, saw him, left him alone and didn’t do anything. The Samaritan came, was filled with compassion and helped him. Isn’t it like God to use the least expected to help you? According to history, the Samaritans were despised by the Jewish people, yet he moved towards the man and helped him.
“And who is my neighbor?.. “The one who showed pity and mercy to him.” – Luke 10:29-37
Over the years, during conversations with some Christians, I have heard that the people who hurt them the most were in the church. How could this be? Christ has commanded us to love our neighbor as “thyself” (Mark 12:31). We have to understand and practice this good Samaritan lesson.
What You Should Know
In a crisis, don’t be surprised when those who you expect to help you, reject you and those you do not expect whatsoever, to assist you. I have learned over the years that God can use anyone to bless you regardless of race, denomination or religion. We have seen this in the media about how people who absolutely didn’t know each other ran to the aid of those hurt by the Boston Marathon explosions.
Here’s the Good Samaritan lesson for the church: Render help to those in need even if they do not look like or act like you.
Image courtesy of sxc
