Are you a good Samaritan?

A Church Without Walls (9-1-12)

Imagine what it is like when your electricity goes out. You have no lights, no refrigerator or freezer, no air conditioning, or heat.

Now imagine your house has been destroyed by a tornado and you have no running water, no place to sleep, no place to escape from the mosquitoes, the gnats, the rain or the snow. No protection from people who intend to rob you or do you harm.

That’s what it’s like every day when you’re homeless.

Now imagine people driving by and looking at you. Some look down at you. Some are pointing at you as they drive past, and others keep their eyes firmly stationed straight ahead so as to purposely not notice you.

I noticed that last night as Aaron, Monique, Nick, Jimmy, and I set out to serve those of us who do not have homes. People driving by with their windows up and their doors locked. I thought of the story of the Good Samaritan. Do you remember that story? (Luke 10:30-37)

After grilling countless hamburgers and hotdogs and serving ice cream, Nick got up to bring the Word of God to these blessed but in some ways desperate people. He had spoken to one of the men last week who expressed to him that he was still paying the price for being a felon. When Nick referred to his conversation many men and women nodded in agreement that they had made a mistake and had paid the price with jail time, but now were still paying for their crime because they would not be hired because of their criminal records.

Then Nick told them about a God who loves them, and who keeps no record of wrongs. A King who makes all things new, and a Savior who with a word will make them new creations. Their mistakes remembered no more, their life to be started anew in Christ.

I watched the people as Nick preached the Word and many of them were entranced just thinking about having an opportunity to start over. An opportunity to not  make the mistakes of their past.

Like the Good Samaritan, Nick stopped last night to bring healing balm to these hurting and desperate people. He bound up their wounds, fed them, and brought them the hope that can only come from our gracious savior Christ Jesus.

I encourage you to read the story of the Good Samaritan and determine who you are in the story. If you cannot identify with the Samaritan, then let me further encourage you to get up out of your church pew, identify the ministry God has put before you, and be about the good works that Jesus has prepared in advance for you to do.

As you endeavor to do his will, He will give you eyes to see those in need and the grace to be His disciple.

[‘A Church Without Walls’ exists to encourage, empower, and provide opportunities for disciples of Christ Jesus to walk in the ministries prepared by God in advance for them to do]