Please, May I Help You?Sample

ARE YOU KNOWN AS A GOOD SAMARITAN?

  I am not sure if you have ever watched a news program, as bystanders watch, as thugs beat on another human being, but it is disheartening to see everyone standing around and not helping the victim.  I can assure you the victim would not refuse the by-standers assistance.  They would be a blessing to the person in distress.  

Jesus left us with the perfect illustration found in Luke chapter 10.  Jesus was asked by an expert of religious law (a Pharisee) what a good neighbor would be when Jesus gave him the illustration of a Good Samaritan.

 “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance, a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.  A Temple assistant] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits? Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”  Luke 10:30-37

In this accounting, we have a priest, a temple assistant, and a hated Samaritan as examples.  The first two who knew all the religious law, unfortunately, we're not being good neighbors, for their hearts were not right.  It was the least likely, who acted out of compassion for the man who was injured.

Dan was not a beaten man left by the side of the road but, there were so many times that I wished those who knew his situation would have offered to lend a hand. Please do not take me wrong, as there were those when we mentioned the need, helped. However, that line we often hear, 'Call me if you need anything, I am here if you need me,' is just something nice to say.  If you want to be a blessing when you see the need, you go ahead and do, out of the goodness of the heart!

CAN WE RELATE?

When we act out of our hearts to reach out to another, the receiver should receive with their heart.  I hope that the 21rst Century mentality has not changed the mindset of blessings others and allowing others to be a blessing!  I used the story of the Good Samaritan, as most people are familiar with it.  It is a C example of how we should treat our neighbors, family, friends, and strangers!  As we complete the devotional tomorrow, join me as we get creative with blessing accountability!