What Would You Do?

I think most of us wonder at times, how we might react if confronted with an emergency or life-
threatening situation.  Will we jump in or stand back hoping someone else takes action?

Maybe you watched the finale of the Seinfeld show... the plot revolved around Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer temporarily stranded in a New York community.  They were on the sidewalk when a man was robbed near his car.  Kramer caught it all on video, including the snide and sarcastic remarks of the group.

Jerry and his contemporaries were hauled into court for breaking the "Good Samaritan Law" which called for citizens to come to the aid of another.  Spoiler alert... they were convicted.

In the real world recently, similar scenarios played out.  In Ohio, a man made a video on his phone of a car crash while ignoring the victims caught inside.  He too, was discovered on the recording to be making fun of the victims.  One of the two teen-agers inside the car died.

Less than a week later, in Oregon, another mishap.  Brothers stopped their car because they saw a car on fire while at the gas pump in a station.  Other folks were looking on and recording the scene. When the boys realized someone was inside the car, they responded.  One brother smashed the car window, pulling the older woman out of the burning car before the flames could reach her.  She survived with smoke inhalation.

You and I might not face the same situation, ever.  But for a moment, consider what you might do. We read of parents diving into water in an effort to save their children, even if they don't know how to swim.  So, perhaps we're likely to spring into action faster for a family member than a stranger.

One brother said they were looking at the flames when someone said a woman was inside.  To that, the brother turned to his sibling and said, "Let's go."

It might not be a burning car or a traffic accident; maybe it's someone being bullied or taken advantage of - you could get involved and stop it or ignore it and move along.

I can't say what I'd do.  There are times I've not responded the way I'd like because of fear.  Next time, I hope you and I will both decide to "go."

In high school, I nearly drowned.  I'm here today because four guys who didn't know me, jumped in and eventually pulled me to safety.  They said, "let's go."

The brothers, like the guys who pulled me from the pool, are called good samaritans.  Here's the origin of the moniker, told by the Man who is the ultimate Good Samaritan:

Luke 10:25-37New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

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.”  Thank you, Bible Gateway!