"Go and do likewise" part 2

A police was going out on his regular rounds, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A police commissioner happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a wealthy white businessman, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

But a Black man,as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, quickly and generously applying medicines. Then he put the man in his own car, brought him to a hospital and made sure he was well cared for all night. The next day he wrote a check for the entire weeks bill and and said ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Luke 10: 36-37
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

"Go and do likewise"

A black man was going from his job to home, when he was attacked by police. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A government official happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a wealthy business man, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

But when an white elderly southern policeman from the south (who had worked in the Jim Crow era) came where the man was, he had compassion on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, quickly and generously pouring on medication. Then he put the man in his own car, brought him to a hospital and sat by his bed taking care of him all night.

The next day he took out a blank check and gave it to the doctor. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Luke 10:36 - 38
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Crosscultural Communications #2

Many thoughts are heavy on my heart, so this might be a bit jumbled. I just wanted to get it out before I forget. While on my way to a new store, I came across a refugee looking, tent "town" under the bridge. My heart was so disturbed. How can I have lived here 15 years and this is the 1st time seeing this? How is it possible that in America there are such "tent cities"? My heart ached. I was glad to know that there is this ministry that helps this group and others: http://www.meetmeunderthebridge.org/about-us/. Do we care? My thoughts throughout this day were: why do we shy away from this? why do we not care? If Jesus were here, where would He spend His time? I am quite certain that it wouldn't be in the places we would think...didn't He say He came to heal the sick, not the well? Why are we so repulsed by those He would hang out with? Why do we run from His heartbeat? People often have no idea just how different it is here in the inner city. There are several different types of culture here...white, black, hispanic, "ghettobilly", and they all have more in common together than they would with me. I coined the word "2nd World County" as a discription of what it is like here. It's not like a 1st world culture - life and everything about it is difficult and different than mainstream American culture. This is the part most American's just can't understand - I have hundreds of illustrations of this, but here is just one. A mother was told (mockingly) at her daughter's school that her 6 year old daughter was too big to be in a stroller. In a 1st world country, that would be true. In a 3rd world county, a stroller would be a luxery and used for all sorts of things. In a 2nd world country...it is essential to a mother who is walking a mile by a busy street with 2 children, one of whom has severe ADHD to contain at least one so she can get from point A to point B and back. Another picture I saw today was a corner with 30-40 Hispanic men who sit on the corner of a busy street...just waiting for someone to come along to hire them so they can take a few dollars home. Reminds me of the parable Jesus told of the man who had a vineyard and went throughout the day to hire men who had assembled. Just my thoughts for the day...more to come another day.

Cross Cultural Contemplations

Sometimes I'm in amazement of our neighbors...and daily so thankful for what we have.  Most people in the USA would say that our things aren't very nice, as they are not new...but compared to many we know, we are SO well off. 

example #1: What Strength!
A young 9 month pregnant mother of 2, walked 5 city blocks in the bitter cold and howling winds to come next door and get presents for her children who wouldn't be getting anything otherwise.  She never presumed to ask me to come get her or take her home - they are just used to walking everywhere.  They not only walked the whole way, but organized all the donations we got next door while there were there!  Very humbled....I don't think if I was 9 months pregnant I would walk that far in the cold/wind for gifts or anything. 

example #2: winter snow
Since our roads and let alone the sidewalks are rarely cleaned off, people have to walk down the street...pregnant moms, mothers with several children, handicapped, etc... Right in the way of traffic!  To top it off, when cars go by, they spray the walkers with the slush/water. 

These incidents make me GRATEFUL for our blessed vehicles the Lord has bestowed on us and to have greater appreciation for the blessings God has given us.  It also serves to make me more compassionate towards those who do not.