My car was stolen. I frantically scanned the JC Penny’s parking lot at West Town Mall, which was located in Knoxville, Tennessee-ninety six miles from home. I purposely remembered which door I entered so my car certainly was gone.
A Good Samaritan asked what was wrong and if he could help. I told him I couldn’t find my car. After describing my car, he helped me scan the parking lot. I thanked him for his help and let him know I would call security. He asked me where I was from. I replied, “I’m from Jamestown.” To my surprise, he knew where Jamestown was located! His reply still makes me chuckle. “You need help if you’re from Jamestown!”
I wasn’t insulted but rather amused at this man’s uninhibited opinion of my mental capability to find my car due to the fact that I was from Jamestown. He did suggest I look in the parking lot on the other side of the store as there were two JC Penny entrances into the mall. My car was there. I guess I did need help.
We all need help. God created us to help one another. We humans often need assistance from others. We forget, we fail, and we fall by the way side from time to time.
Jesus teaches what it means to help your neighbor in Luke chapter 10. A man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho fell among thieves who stripped him, wounded him and left him half dead. The priest and Levite saw him but passed by. However, a certain Samaritan saw him, had compassion on him, bound up his wounds, set him on his beast, and took him to an inn where he paid for his board and care.
I needed help finding my car and the wounded traveler in Jesus’ biblical account needed help to live. Humans helping humans is necessary whether it pertains to something small such as forgetfulness or something as grave as life and death. Perhaps assistance at a wreck site, a phone call, a cooked meal, a home visit, a kind word or a smile can make a difference for your neighbor.
I’m from Jamestown, with no apologies! If we natives of Jamestown are known to need help, be assured we are also known to give help. Let’s obey Jesus words to go and do like the Samaritan.
….Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matthew 22:39
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