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Sample 1

Another Look at the Good Samaritan Story
by Rev. Dan White

No one ever looks at the victim in the good Samaritan Story. No one. Our hero is the good Samaritan - the ideal role model. His gift of love, compasssion, and care for the man who was robbed, beaten, and left for dead inspires us to care for the dying, love the beaten down, and have compassio for the less fortunate. In this timeless story that defines the concept of neighbor as told by the Master Teacher, our desire is to emulate this good and kind man. Jesus told the expert in the law and tells us to "go and do likewise" - do what the Good Samaritan did. Help the helpless.

But sometimes, we simply cannot go and do likewise. We canot identify with the kind deeds of this godly man because we are in the ditch - beaten, robbed, and left for dead - through no fault of our own. We can hardly help ourselves much less be a Good Samaritan. Have you even been there? Are you in the ditch now?

The man in the ditch in this famous parable was minding his own business

and on his way to Jericho. Out of no where, thieves jumped him sending him into a misery that he had never felt before. Unable to move from the ditch and unaided by the priest and Levite who passed by on the other side, the man was going to die unless help arrived.

All of us are traveling on a destination and have a destiny. You may be on a destination to be a good father or mother. You want to raise successful children with your values, principles, and faith. Through no fault of your own, the children rebel and choose another way to live. It feels like you have landed in the ditch - stunned and numb.

You may be on a destination for a happy marriage. You kept your promise to forsake all others and to love, honor, and cherish your mate for as long as you live. Through no fault of your own, your spouse grows cold and mean. You find evidence of unfaithfulness. The marriage crumbles into faultfinding, fussing, and conflict. You can identify with the victim.

No matter the name of the ditch, the result is always the same. We are robbed, beaten, and left for dead. Jesus said, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

Yet, I have always found that our gracious Lord sends a Good Samaritan to help His children out of the ditch - a stranger, a friend, a pastor, or a family member. He will always provide a way of safe-keeping and recovery for those who trust in Him and find themselves in the ditch.

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