Be a Good Samaritan

“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.” Luke 10:34 NIV

In a story titled “Shocking video shows bull runner gored as he checks his phone” published by the New York Post on Sunday, it was reported that a runner was attacked while playing with his cell phone at an Aug. 30 “bou embolat” (bull with balls) event in Alcàsser, in the Valencia province of Spain. In shocking video obtained by CEN Media, the muscular bull, with burning balls of flammable material attached to its horns, is seen charging towards the young man, who is distracted by his phone. He barely sees the bull until the very last second — but by then, it was too late. As he tries to escape, the unidentified man trips and falls. The bull is seen trampling him as spectators scream in the background. Thankfully, however, the man was eventually helped by onlookers, who were able to drag him away and into safety. Sources told CEN Media that the man was treated for a non-serious gore wound on the side of his body. Wow right? Had it not been for the onlookers turned “good samaritans,” this story could have had a very tragic ending. 

And you know, when it comes to people willing to help complete strangers, the Bible tells us the story of a man who was attacked by robbers, beaten, and left half dead. Both a priest and a Levite saw the man but took great pains to pass him by on the other side. We’re not told why they passed him by but one can only imagine that they thought themselves to be better than him. Perhaps even thinking to themselves, “That wretched man got himself into that mess, let him get himself out of it.” Sadly that’s the attitude many Christians have when it comes to going out to the lost and the wounded as well, saying, “If they hadn’t made all those bad choices, they wouldn’t be in their situation.” Which is the very reason, we must all follow the example of the Samaritan who was moved by compassion to bandage the man’s wounds and take care of him— thus showing him the love of Jesus despite the reason the man might have been assaulted.  

So be careful to love others as Jesus does my friend, helping them up when they’re down and bandaging their wounds when they’ve been hurt. We will not only show them the kindness of the Savior but will be an example for others to follow. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves if we want to impact a world in desperate need of Jesus. Help us to be set apart by the way we help others in their time of need Lord, remembering that we all make mistakes and fall short of perfection. Help us to see others as You do and to have compassion on those who are hurting. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!