My friends, there are so many times in our lives that we can be a good Samaritan towards others in need. Sometimes there are people who are stranded on the side of the road because their car is broke down. There are homeless people that we see on the side of the road who are hungry and cold. How about lawns that are very long and need cut. How about sprinklers that are busted and water is spraying out like a fountain? How about a lawn with a ton of leaves or a driveway that is blocked because of snow? These are all opportunities to help others in need. However, most people don’t do anything to help these people, which is sad. And to make this real, I have an example from today. As I got home from work I saw a neighbor across the street with two of her sprinklers busted, where water was spraying out all over the road like a fountain. And as I was gazing at that direction I saw a man come close to where she was, but when he saw the issues, he immediately left and said, “I hope you get it fixed”. However, I could not do that. But knowing that my sprinkler skills weren’t that great, I went to two neighbors houses until I found a young man who could help me. And so we went and worked on the sprinkler, but as we did a catholic guy who I know is great at sprinklers drove by and said, “Good luck. Winter is almost here. Don’t worry about it till spring.” I couldn’t believe it. And so we have two people, in the good Samaritan story who saw the issue at hand and went on by. Where only one person wanted to help fix the issue.
As for me and that young man, we digged and digged until we got the sprinkler out, but the replacement was too big. So I coordinated with the woman at the house about coming back tomorrow. I told her I would go to home depot and take the sprinkler housing with me and buy two of them, since they have another sprinkler having the same issue. So I grabbed their old sprinkler and put it in a zip lock bag and threw it in my car. This way I would not forget to get the replacements tomorrow. And my plan is to get some extra sprinkler heads, just in case more people have issues in our neighborhood. This way I will have the parts ready. Now, this may not seem exactly like what the good Samaritan did, but it doesn’t have to be. All God wants of us is to act upon the Holy Spirit. You see, the Spirit told me to help her, so I did it. The guy that I grabbed to help me was Mormon and I appreciate his help. So my question to you all is this… Which of the people I mentioned showed love and compassion for the lady in need? And my answer to you is the Lord working through me and my friend. He could have said he was busy but left what he was doing to also help. I ask this since Jesus also said, “which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:36,37) All I ask of you is to also go and do likewise. Shine your light, by helping others, as Jesus has already asked us to do. The good Samaritan story is below for you to read also…
Luke 10:25-37 (KJV)
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will be more willing to stop what they are doing and help others. Surely, You will always stop what You are doing and listen to our prayers, while helping us, but we often cannot do the same for others. So many people, Lord, are too worried about losing their job, or missing out on getting to church or some other event on time, that they pass by people in need in their cars. This is very sad. All I know is that the times that I have stopped to help people have been the most joyous occasions in this life. And after I have finished helping them I am no longer worried about getting to where I was going on time. What I just did for this person was also for God and that was all that mattered. Lord, I wish that more people would desire to love others as You have called us to love them. That they would desire to love one another as we love You, which is with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Even our dealings with people in need should come first before our own needs. Lord, I know that this sounds foreign, but when people realize how important it is to be a light in this darkened world for others, they would jump at these opportunities. Lord, I am praying for people to become more selfless, kind, patient, compassionate, caring, considerate, loving, and merciful. These are all characteristics that only come from You, and by constantly listening to You, while abiding in the Spirit. We can be a light unto this lost generation, but there needs to be a fire that is burning in people. A fire that will consume them from the inside out. Lord, I am filled with Your fire. All I desire is to help people in need, but I am only one person. I need more people who will join me in this kingdom effort. I love You. Amen.
