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Home  News 07.05.08 On Being a Good Samaritan |
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07.05.08 On Being a Good Samaritan |
 While growing up, one of my favorite stories was the tale of the “Good Samaritan”. Those who ought to have helped the man, who was beaten and robbed, didn’t, and the man’s natural enemy came to his aid! Injustice seemingly had the upper hand until it was triumphed by the merciful act of an unknown stranger. The story took on a greater meaning for me one day while I was traveling down a British motorway and a Jaguar, sped irresponsibly past me. Suddenly, a loud sound exploded as a tire blew, the car swerved, then rolled and threw the driver out of the front window to land unconscious in the middle of the road right in front of me. I quickly pulled aside, waved the traffic away from the man, had my passengers put out signs and sent another driver to get the police and ambulance. We covered the bleeding man with our coats, prayed for him and waited by his side until professional help arrived and took over. I remember looking at the annoyed expressions of the inconvenienced drivers passing by, curiously examining the accident, but definitely not wanting to get involved. I guess they reminded me of the passers by in the parable.
That was a micro example of what it is like when looking at megatrends in world missions. When I look for who has been beaten up and robbed, left for dead and ignored in this world of ours, then the lost eyes of forgotten and ignored people shout out at me in their silence: “There is no hope for us, no future; and no one really cares about the injustices done to me.” Their personalities crushed by oppression and corruption, they look aside, expecting nothing that could provide them with a life full of meaning, dignity, or even trustworthy friends. Who are they? They are whole communities of children whose parents died of HIV – AIDS - and at risk themselves. They are grandparents too old to work, but having lost their own children in wars are forced to care for the young left behind. They are modern day sex slaves, mere children forced to work in Asian brothels to satisfy the lust and greed of vile men; abused and mistreated with no hope of escape. They are people of different religions and backgrounds who experience hatful prejudice simply for the way they look or dress. Actually, they are people, whom God created in His image, but who have never had the chance to experience the deliverance He promises because no one has ever cared enough to share God’s love with them in a personal way.
In my minds eye I see good, well intentioned people passing by. They are not necessarily mean. No, I see ignorant people, caught up in their own well being and living standard. They don’t know anything about the poor and basically tend to spend their time with folks like themselves. I see people who wonder why the problem ought to exist at all, as they blame corrupt politicians for mistreating their own people. I see those who try with a western mindset to teach their favorite biblical principles (perhaps by satellite TV) and expect the results to simply happen among the poor without their direct involvement. They seem to have no idea of the harm such folly can produce.
Who are those who are responding to the call? Amazingly, in increasing numbers, it is the Christians in developing countries who are mobilizing to bring the Gospel to the poor, the very ones Jesus Christ desires to reach. They are building networks of organizations who are both preaching the Gospel and meeting real needs in practical ways. They are those who are seeing the long term benefits of transforming a society by planting lots of new churches. It is a growing movement coming from an unexpected source, poorly funded, but truly caring.
One question remains: How can I become a “Good Samaritan”? The answer has to begin with my own attitude of non-involvement. I must first have a major change of heart to become a merciful person. Mercy is primarily an attitude that leads to merciful actions – with my spouse, my family, my friends, my enemies (!) and anyone I meet. I must be moved by the evils of ignorance, injustice, immorality and prejudice. I cannot be indifferent. I must be willing to get involved at a personal level to help the downtrodden be healed. I can do that in my own neighborhood, as well as invest in missionaries who are doing this work. I can labor in prayer with them. I can bless them with emails and cards. I can visit them and share in the work they are doing.
.jpg) And I can also remember what the parable is really about. It is about a man who asked Jesus the question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” And the answer is clearly stated: “You must love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.” The one who loves God will also love others and want them to receive eternal life as well. That is the very heart of missions.
Brad Thurston |
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