Am I A Good Samaritan?

Am I a Good Samaritan?  An odd experience made me wonder.

We’ve probably all heard of the story of the Good Samaritan. (good helper). There are even some excellent charities with the name Samaritan in it (like Samaritan’s Purse, etc).  But I didn’t think about any of this regarding a recent incident until after a discussion at church this past week about being a Good Samaritan.

I was at a meeting downtown and thought as long as I am down here, I’ll head to a little store nearby that is a challenge for me to find open.  Last time I found them open was after 10 am, so I headed there, popped out of the car and checked the door – nope – locked. The sign said on Thursdays they don’t open until 11.  So, always having a book or two in the car, thought I’d read until 11.  I was so engrossed in my book I didn’t notice what was going on around me. Suddenly I had that feeling – you know, when someone is looking at you?  I stuck my finger in the book and looked toward the street side – nothing.  Then I looked at the sidewalk side of my car and was startled. A man leaning wason the car, face next to the window.  He had something black and rectangular in his hand – like a flip phone, tape recorder or ?? and I thought you’ve got two choices.  Roll down a window and ask him what he wants, or drive off.  I drove off.

Then in our discussion, we talked about some of the strange circumstances and consequences of our modern day compared to the Biblical account of the Good Samaritan on his donkey.  One person said you’d want to be careful, if the injured person fell off your donkey as you were transporting him to help, he could sue you. Or it could be a setup and you could be charged for the injuries!  I am aware of another incident that happened to a friend on mine on the way home from our bowling league. She stopped for what looked like an injured person and it was a trap.  Fortunately she kept her car locked, drove away and called the police after two men jumped up and rushed her car, trying to get in.   I’ve also had a lot of known panhandlers approach us outside of church or grocery stores and harass us. It’s made me a bit calloused. I’m sure I’ve missed some real need because of the fakes.

We also talked about how every need we see is not necessarily always OUR call to help, but sometimes our call to get someone who could help.  What do you think of that?

It’s been years since my friend’s close call with the fake accident/injury, and since that day I’ve promised my husband to not stop anymore if I am alone though I always call for help.

I began to wonder is that wise, or weak?  I have a very sympathetic heart and try to help in a public setting, but my husband fears if I don’t discern before acting on something (just letting my heart lead) it could entrap me.

I didn’t think very long in my recent circumstance. I had a vision in my head of the man spraying something at me, and so I drove off.

Now I know the parable was a response to a lawyer testing Christ, and the parable was just that – a story – an illustration – to teach some things, like be willing to get involved, treat every person/race the same, (don’t let prejudice stop your act of compassion), be prepared with discretionary funds for an unexpected need, and give it as generously as you can.  I am comfortable with all those lessons but there is one I am not and that is to risk my own safety as the Samaritan did.   I don’t travel a lot but when I have one of the first things we are told is to assess a situation before becoming involved or remaining if there is danger. We cannot help someone else if we are in danger or overcome. I cannot imagine a Jewish man with a Samaritan over the back of his donkey would be welcomed in a Samaritan community. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other.  The situation I was in was totally different, there were only two of us, no one was hurt or appeared to be in need, but still I wonder if I missed an opportunity.

The lawyer asked Jesus what he must DO  and he  summarized the 10 commandments with this – Luke 10:27 – comment in brackets is mine.

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;” [which would be perfectly; which no man can do} and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Knowing the law is given to reveal sin, and need for Christ, I know I can do such only through the power and strength of my Savior, Jesus.

Still,

What’s your vote?  Was I: wise, was I “chicken” or did I miss an opportunity to be a Good Samaritan?