Compassion, Holiness & the Truth of a Story

Do questions of safety, convenience, and vocational purity come to mind before asking what God is doing?

Luke 10 :29-37 (The Good Samaritan)

At last week's meeting of the Jericho Tollway Authority, we heard from several of the users of our highway from Jericho to Jerusalem. In summary, we discussed two viable directions of moving forward. You could include doing nothing, but we have already decided to take action because the problem of robbery and beatings is alarmingly high.

1. Digging deeper ditches, so that the injured and dying would remain out of sight.
2. Paying others, even Samaritans, to render aid.

As your Chair, I would like to add that the results of our study have concluded that digging deeper ditches is neither time nor cost effective at all. And #2 is not all that cost effective either. Besides, it involves more, not less, contact with undesirables and Samaritans.

However, something that was said at last week's meeting has stayed in my mind.

That was the part about one day soon, it will be one of us lying in the road, beaten and half dead. Or one of our children. It all brought me to the realization that some action is needed on behalf our neighbors and family. Even more, for the sake of our neighbors and kin folk who must travel this dangerous stretch, it may be best to consider any traveler our neighbor-- simply because it could be any of us who fall prey to the violence of thieves. 

Therefore I present to you the third option:

In the event that anyone must travel the Jericho Tollway for any reason, it is the determination of this body that all travelers be legally considered neighbors and kin. Further, all travelers have the responsibility and freedom to receive assistance from and render mercy to whomever happens to be on that road, be they family- or Samaritan.   

Or course, this applies only to everyone who is not a Priest or Levite. 

Any questions? By your silence, you signal that you are all ready to vote on the item before you.