Good Samaritans in a Covid World

For the last three months, my personal Bible study has followed a study plan on the life of Jesus based a harmony of the gospels by A. T. Robertson. This morning, my study was the Parable of the Good Samaritan, one of the most famous stories Jesus ever told, and one that is recognizable by believers and unbelievers alike.

You know the details, a traveler was assaulted on the road and left for dead by his assailants. After awhile a Jewish priest came by and noticed the wounded man, but he passed by him on the other side of the road. A little while later, a Levite, a Jewish man born in the line of priests, also came by and likewise passed by on the other side of the road.

Soon afterward, a Samaritan came by and attended to the wounded man and took him into town where he dressed his wounds and took him in for the night. When the Samaritan left, he told the innkeeper to care for the wounded man and he would pay for anything required by him when he came back. Then Jesus asked a very pointed question: Who was the man’s neighbor?

You see, the Samaritans and the Jews hated each other, and it was ironic that the Samaritan was the one who acted kindly in Jesus’ story. But we find ourselves in a similar situation now.

With the current state of isolation, people who are at risk in our community are becoming even more at risk. Older adults have no business getting out in public where they might be exposed to the Covid-19 virus that is devastating to them. Furthermore, our economy has pretty much frozen in place and people are beginning to lose their jobs and livelihoods. Families are stressing over school closures and even daycare closures.

Now is the time for Christians to step up and become the Good Samaritan for others. In all prior pandemics that have swept the planet, Christians have always stood in the front lines to help the helpless and give hope to the hopeless. There are ways to help get food to hungry people and stay safe. There are ways to shelter others while guarding yourself against this virus. While we mustn’t be careless in our own health, the time is now for Christ’s people take the lead in helping others who cannot help themselves.

What can you do today for someone else? Who do you know that is stranded and lonely? Who do you that might be hungry? As a child of God, will you the Good Samaritan to someone in need today?