28 Nov, 2011
A Not-So-Black Friday
As I was watching our local news on Friday night, in the midst of story after story about Black Friday shopping, a different kind of story came out of the small Central Kentucky town of Winchester. Someone decided to, as the local news put it, "Play Santa in the local Walmart." Several anonymous individuals were stepping to the cash registers to pay cash for large purchases that families were making. I knew right away that this was the perfect story for today's DailyBide. Imagine my surprise when the only reference to this anywhere was a headline for the story. No video. No printed story. Only a headline. In contrast to that, a Google search of "Black Friday" prompted over 39,000 results. Yet somewhere in Central Kentucky families are thanking God for the "Good Samaritan" that paid their debt.
Story headline can be found at www.wlextv.com.
Image found at images.google.com.
Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" 27And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." 28And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."
29But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about helping others?
It seems that today's God Story scripture is one of the most often mentioned scripture passages. At least when it comes to calling someone a "Good Samaritan." It was even mentioned in Today's Story when I first heard it. One family referred to the anonymous donors as "Santa," "An Angel," and a "Good Samaritan." Today's God's Story scripture reminds us that we need to be aware of our surroundings as we journey through life, and when someone is in need, we should reach out to help them. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan we see the story of a man who not only helped the injured man, but he had such a reputation that the inn keeper trusted him to return and pay any further costs of caring for this stranger. Jesus told this story in response to the simple question, "Who is my neighbor?". Who is your neighbor? Who do you need to seek out this Christmas season to bring a little extra joy to their life.
How can I connect today's God's Story to My Life?
- Read the Parable of the Good Samaritan a few more times today. Look for different people in the story to connect with. How is your story similar to their story? Ask God to uncover some things in your own story today. In what areas of your story can grow closer to Him.
- What is your reputation? Would someone trust you the way the inn keeper trusted the Good Samaritan? Ask God to work in and through you to give you such a trusted reputation.
- Thank God for the people in your life who have helped to meet your needs throughout your life.
How can I connect Today's Story, God's Story, and My Story with Others?
So who are your neighbors? Ask God to point out some people in your life this week who may need a little extra "joy" in their life this Christmas Season. Watch and listen for stories. Most likely it won't be people laying alongside the road bleeding. It will probably be a neighbor who is lonely because they've lost a loved one this year. Or maybe a family who has a son or daughter serving in the military. Maybe it's a neighbor who has been diagnosed with cancer who wonders if this is their last Christmas on this earth. You will know them when you see them. Look for ways to encourage them, not just today, or this week, but throughout the entire season of Christmas.
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