REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD SAMARITAN
LUKE 10:30-37
INTRODUCTION
Some years ago, S. E. Hinton wrote a book entitled The Outsiders which was later developed into a movie. It is the story of Ponyboy, a fourteen-year-old boy who belongs to a gang called the Greasers. Though he appears bold and confused, he is very sensitive. Since the death of his parents, his loyalty has been to his brothers and his gang.
I recall one event in the movie that I think portrays what a Good Samaritan is. One day Ponyboy and Johnny were walking through the park when a car full of Socs pulled up. Ponyboy and Johnny sat carefully on the monkey bars as the Socs approached and began to ridicule them. Before long, a fight had erupted. One of the Socs grabbed Ponyboy and tried to drown him in the water fountain. Seeing what was about to happen, a dazed Johnny pulled out his switchblade and killed one of the attackers. When Ponyboy and Johnny awoke later, the other Socs were gone but the dead one lay where Johnny had stabbed him.
Afraid of what would happen, they approach a fellow gang member named Dally. Dally had been in trouble before, and they assumed he would know how to help them. Sure enough, he arranged for them to stay at an abandoned church far away. He gave them money to buy food, and told them to stay there until the heat was off. Johnny and Ponyboy cut their hair, and Ponyboy dyed his blonde in an attempt to disguise himself. Later, Dally returned to get them.
While they were away in town getting something to eat, a group of children with a few adults had a picnic at the old church. Johnny and Ponyboy had been smoking while at the church and evidently one of the cigarettes ignited and the church caught on fire while some of the children were inside. When they returned from eating, they saw the church engulfed in flames. Instinctively-and without thought for their own lives, Ponyboy and Johnny race from the car into the burning church and begin rescuing children. When Johnny is almost out of danger, a huge ceiling beam falls on him. Ponyboy and Dally escape with only minor burns and smoke inhalation.
Dally-not one to care very much for anyone else, scolds Ponyboy for pulling such a stunt. Then they make their way to the hospital to check on Johnny whose life is hanging in the balance. The prognosis for Johnny was not very good. Later, Ponyboy would visit him again. Just before he died, Johnny told Ponyboy that it was worth it to save the lives of those children. He said their lives were worth more than his. Then he told Ponyboy to tell Dally that because he didn't think he knew.
Of course, these heroic efforts by two kids from the wrong side of town made the headlines. One day, while at the store, Randy, the leader of the rival gang the Socs, confronted Ponyboy. He called him to his car and asked him why he saved those kids. He readily admitted that he would not have saved him. He said; "I would have let them burn to death." He just could not understand what would make a Greaser perform such a feat. I think that story along with the story Jesus tells gives us great insight concerning what is involved in being a good Samaritan.
Jesus begins his story by telling of a certain man-probably a Jew, who made his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. Jericho was the place the priests lived when they were not working in Jerusalem. The road between the two cities was haunted by thieves and robbers. Though the road was only 17 miles, it was very unsafe. While the priests and Levites were probably not bothered because of their profession, everyone else was in danger. The man Jesus speaks of might have been a merchant, but nevertheless the thieves attacked him as he made his way to Jericho. They stripped him of his clothing, beat him and left him for dead.
The first person to come by after the robbery was a priest. He was a servant of the Law of God and was supposedly dedicated to God. No doubt, he had finished his work at the Temple and was returning to Jericho. Now perhaps he was in a hurry, but he knew what God's word taught about loving other people. Nevertheless, he passed by the wounded man.
The second person to happen by was a Levite. He belonged to an inferior branch of the Pharisees who were some of the religious leaders of the day. He was a servant in the Temple and a minister of religious worship. His job was to interpret the Law of God. He, like so many others of his time, had allowed his religion to become formal, heartless and compassionless. He too passed by the wounded man.
Finally, a Samaritan came by. He belonged to a mixed race of people. As a result, he was hated by the Jews. Full blooded Jews considered the Samaritans rascals and renegades. By the time of Jesus, the hatred between the two groups had escalated to the degree that a devout Jew who wanted to go to Galilee-located north of Samaria, would cross the Jordan River to the east side to avoid passing through the region of Samaria.
It was this person from this hated race that stopped to help the wounded man. He felt pity for the man. He knelt beside the man and soothed his wounds with medicine, then bandaged them. He put the wounded man on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he cared for him. The next day, he handed the innkeeper some money and told him to take care of the man while he continued his journey. He told the innkeeper he would pay any cost beyond what he had given him the next time he came that way.
Jesus ended his story by asking the question; "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?”
I. MUST BE A BARRIER BREAKER
This was true of the good Samaritan. He had some barriers he had to ignore or overcome to help this individual. The Samaritan was of a mixed race-half Jew and half Gentile. As a result, the Jews hated him. The man he had the opportunity to help was probably a Jew. He had to ignore racial, social and cultural barriers to help this individual. In Jesus' story, Jesus does not have the Samaritan thinking about whether he would help or not. Based on the way he had no doubt been treated by the Jews, the Samaritan could easily have justified in his mind not helping this man. He, however, did not pass by as the priest and Levite did-and they were of the man's own race. No, he chose to help someone in need.
Ponyboy and Johnny had to overcome barriers to rescue the children in the burning church. They were Greasers and thereby not looked on favorably by many. They came from the wrong side of the tracks. In spite of people's opinion of them, they did what was right. Neither did they stop to ask what race, social standing or family background these children came from before they dashed into the church to save them.
Those who diligently serve as fireman and rescue personnel must also be barrier breakers. Just imagine for a moment a call coming into the fire department or rescue squad. Suppose the person who answered the call asked such questions as: "What race is the person who needs help? What neighborhood do they live in? Is it a nice house or run down? Are they of the middle, lower or higher class? Are they wealthy or poor? Are they delinquent on their taxes? What type of vehicle do they drive?" Then, based on the answer to one or more of the above questions and in accordance with some guidelines they had drawn up, they would choose to put out the fire or rescue the person in need.
Think of the physical barriers that the fire departments or rescue squad often encounters. Windows or doors must be broken. Sometimes roofs must be broken through. Doors or other parts of vehicles might have to be removed to rescue the injured party.
If we are going to be a good Samaritan-as Jesus teaches through this story that we should be, we must be willing to break down the barriers that separate us from others. That is the only way to be neighborly. Many of the barriers we are guilty of erecting ourselves, so it is a matter of changing our attitudes about certain things and people.
II. WE MUST MAKE SACRIFICES
Remember the sacrifices the good Samaritan made. He had some purpose in his traveling, but he was willing to be detained to help someone. He used his medicine and bandages to tend to the man's wounds. He walked to the inn so the wounded man could ride his donkey. He took of his time to care for him during the night and then used his money to pay the innkeeper to tend to his needs until the man was well. The entire story is about sacrifice.
Ponyboy and Johnny were willing to sacrifice their very lives if necessary to save the children in the burning church. In fact, the heroic act eventually cost Johnny his life, but as he testified it was worth it. Those serving as firemen and rescue personnel must also sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice that they obviously think is worth the cost.
I recall one episode of Walker Texas Ranger where a fireman spoke openly on television against gang members who were starting fires at homes. The fireman's son resented his father's job because it took time away from him. He and his dad had just had a fight when his father was shot by one of the gang members while on a call. You see, his comment against them had offended them. The fireman's life hung in the balance. His son's attitude underwent a dramatic change. Now he wanted to be involved in volunteer work, and he prayed by his father's hospital bed that God would heal his dad. He realized the sacrifice was worth it.
Being a good Samaritan is all about sacrifice.
III. RISKS MISUNDERSTANDING
The good Samaritan risked misunderstanding. His fellow countrymen surely would not have not understand why he would help someone from a race that so bitterly hated them. The man he helped-if he was a Jew, probably did not understand why a Samaritan would help him after the way they treated him.
Johnny and Ponyboy risked misunderstanding by helping the children in the burning church. In fact, they were misunderstood. The man over the affair talked with Ponyboy at the hospital, and it was very evident that he did not understand why a Greaser would help those little kids. Randy, the leader of the Socs, did not understand why Ponyboy helped. He told him he would have let them burn to death.
Firemen and rescue personnel often risk misunderstanding. People may not understand why they risk their lives to help others. Sometimes those they help are not very appreciative and do not treat them with the respect they deserve, but they continue to serve. Even their families sometimes do not understand why they help.
When we choose to be a good Samaritan as Jesus commands us to be through this story, we will always risk being misunderstood by some, but we must continue to be good neighbors nevertheless.
CONCLUSION
And so, a good Samaritan will be a barrier breaker, be willing to make sacrifices, and be willing to be misunderstood.
Not long ago, Jessy Kraus, a 17-month-old child from Mulvane, Kansas, fell into a well in his back yard. His father saw it happen but could not reach him in time save him. Firefighters had to dig a hole by hand alongside the well to get him out. Neighbors cheered when firefighter Tim Deneen brought Jessy to the surface. The boy's grandmother said of the rescuers: "A little boy is going to live and have a normal life thanks to them."
