The Good Samaritan

Our passage today, Luke 10:25-37, is one of the best known parables, not only in the Bible, but in the world. A Good Samaritan has become synonymous with those who have mercy on someone who has no connection or claim on them. 

I notice that at church, when I am working late on a Friday afternoon; it's getting toward evening; I'm looking forward to going home and having a relaxing meal with my wife--that's when the plea for help comes. Of course, people call churches because they know that churches are supposed to be Good Samaritans; they're supposed to have mercy on strangers. Even if they've never read the Bible, they somehow know that. 

So it was a few Fridays ago, a man and his pregnant wife were on their way back from the wife's father's funeral and happened to be running out of gas and money by the time they got to Manlius. I wonder, how do people find out that we are even here? It's the standard story in many respects: "I've checked with the other churches; they won't help or can't help--could you? Would you?" So there is this appeal to your pride--here's a chance to go one better than the other churches in town. I have turned this kind of thing over to our deacons, so that they can evaluate the need and decide whether and how much we can help. And our funds in recent years have precluded us from doing any extensive help.

But here is this poor man and his wife and they appear to have some developmental issues and they do need to get back to Illinois. And it's cold; and it's getting late; and only one deacon is available at the moment and she says to me, "I feel like this fellow is genuine. We should help him." The man gives me a reference to a pastor who can verify his story. The pastor does, but I also realize that this is not the first time this guy has been in a jam.

But the jam seems to be real, so we help him and he goes on his way, with enough for gas and meals and maybe even a night in a cheap motel. It may have been a clever scam. And many have avoided being scammed by simply refusing. But they have also avoided the blessing of having mercy. And besides we were using money that had been entrusted to us for the work of the Lord and if this wasn't it, what is?

So we take the chance sometimes, maybe this will really do some good. 

After all, Jesus took a chance on us. He found many of us wounded and alone. He poured in the oil and the wine; and he has told the Innkeeper, whatever it takes to make us better, he will bear the expense.