Matthew 7:12 NIV
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
I was driving to a meeting, on a daily route, when I saw a young man sitting in his car in front of his house. The car’s hood was up.
It was probably a dead battery, but I was in a hurry, as I was expected at a certain time. So, I didn’t have time to stop and see if I could help.
However, on my way back home, I went down a different road, because I realized that I wasn’t dressed warmly enough on a cold and windy morning. I was hoping that the problem was solved and I wouldn’t see the young man, a block away. However, that wasn’t the case. I could see that the young man was still outside the vehicle, with the hood up.
All the way home, I was thinking that I should have stopped to help the young man. I almost turned around and went back several times.
When I got home, I changed clothes and sat down at the computer to do some paper work.
My home was warm, I was comfortable and busy, but I couldn’t get the situation of the young man out of my mind.
The parable of the Good Samaritan came to mind.
Luke 10:29-37 NIV
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
I knew that I was certainly not a “good Samaritan” this morning and it bothered me.
I then had a worse thought; “I am just like the priest. I am just like the Levite.” I didn’t just cross to the other side of the road to pass someone by, I went down a different road altogether.
The priest and the Levite were just below the High Priest in the Hebrew spiritual hierarchy. If anyone should have had compassion, they should have.
It didn’t feel good. God was convicting me.
I decided at the urging of the Holy Spirit that I had to go back and see if I could help. Figuring that someone had already come along, and jump started the car, I dressed warmly anyway and headed back to the young man’s house, about 10 minutes away.
Upon arriving I saw that the hood was down, and no one was around the car. Mabey help had arrived earlier, and the problem was solved.
I knocked on the front door and a gentleman using a cane answered. I assumed this was the young man’s father, although he didn’t look to be old enough.
I told him that as I passed earlier, I saw the hood of their car was up and I came back to see if they were having car trouble. Maybe they needed a jump start?
The man said, “no, we haven’t had any trouble and the hood wasn’t up.” He then said, “but I thank you for coming back and checking.” I asked if by chance another car was here about 30 minutes earlier and he said no.
I bid goodbye and started for home.
I felt much better, with a huge sense of relief knowing that I had done the right thing by going back and checking to see if they needed help.
I was also puzzled by the father’s words.
I entered my house feeling very good that I had gone back, just in case they needed help.
I didn’t want to be like the priest or the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
However, I was puzzled. I know what I saw. I know why I returned home on the street one block away and what I saw again. I know how I felt.
I wondered…If there wasn’t any car trouble, was this a test? Did God have me see what I saw, to see what I would do?
Had I not gone back, I would have been the recipient of a very painful lesson.
Having gone back I learned a very wonderful lesson.
Don’t think for a minute that these things don’t happen. God can do anything and He does.
Whatever caused this incident, the lesson was received loud and clear. We never want to act like the priest or the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Another lesson is that God speaks to us and deals with us in different ways. When He does so, it is wise to listen and heed the call.
Thank you, Father, for the instruction.
In the words of Jesus “Go and do likewise.”
Matthew 7:12 NIV
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
RVH