“Ouch!” Now that’s an expression we are all too familiar with. At least to us English speaking folk. However, uttering, ‘Ouch!’ is not universal. Stub your toe in Paris it’s ‘Aie!’ Whack you’re thumb in Düsseldorf it’s ‘Autch.’ A poke in the eye in the language of Afrikaans, it’s ‘Eina,’ A bump their head in Jericho it’s ‘Akh,’ if one is of Palestinian lineage and ‘Oy,’ if Jewish. The utterances may differ but the resulting pain is the same. A little compassion here could sure go a long way.
However, a bystander watching the demise of a stranger is another thing. ‘Oooooh’ with a slight descending tone. That is universal and may be followed by the thought, “That HAD to have hurt!’ Remember, the third run of Slovenian ski jumper Vinko Bogataj in the 1970 Olympics? The weekly film clip showing him tumbling off the end of the ski jump on Wide World of Sports? Ahhhh the thrill of victory! Ooooh the agony of defeat! Our penchant for calamity in “Funniest Home Videos” is telling. ‘Ouch!’
It’s safe to say that everyone at some time has experienced trauma in a variety of ways. “Ouch! That really hurts!” Very often the injury isn’t perceptible to the naked eye. We’ve all been there. Sometimes we are bruised by none other than our own quirks. But often it’s the reckless deeds of someone else, the brutality of the human tongue or just having someone simply look away as if it didn’t really happen.
When those grievous times occur, it’s sure nice when someone comes along, lifts you up and takes you to a safe place. It may require a trip to the local clinic or a visit with the healer of hearts, Jesus. He is our help. He walks beside us. That’s where the church, His body on earth comes along side. Or, at least it should.
James, Jesus half brother, cautions his scattered flock,
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14-17
The theological gist: A bonafide confession of faith in Christ must be proven by real compassion to people in dire straits. Speaking practically: Christian…get off your pew!
James learned this well from one of Jesus vivid stories. One day on the winding incline from Jericho, a fellow was far beyond ‘Ouch.’ Surrounded by thieves, he was beaten and robbed. He was hurt very badly, nearly unconscious and desperate for someone to step in and help.
Along came a religious man, devout in all ways…minus a heart of compassion. Edging closer to this helpless soul, he sees him on the side of the road, says “Ooooh! And hopefully thought, ‘Wow, that must really hurt!” But then the unthinkable happens, “I don’t have time for this. Anyway, he probably brought this all on himself. Oh well. I’ll just leave it in God’s hands.” Then keeping his distance he continues on his merry way without a morsel of mercy.
Now, right behind the first guy another man of the same religious stripe arrives only he’s more pious. But the results are the same. They have compounded the trauma by adding insult to injury. Things are not looking so good for this three time casualty victim.
But, a third fellow of a different social class is hiking past. He sizes up the situation. Rather than thinking, “I don’t have time for this,” he supplies him with some of his own provisions. He field dresses the wounds. He refreshes him with a drink from his pouch. He carefully helps him on his mule and then hurry’s for the nearest inn. He spends the rest of that day nursing this sufferers wounds. He gives the innkeeper enough funds to cover another two days stay. And then, if that were not enough, he offers to cover any extra costs the next time he passes through the town. Now that’s a good neighbor.
Jesus informs His followers that they are to love God with their entire body, soul and spirit. That love is proven by loving their neighbors to the same degree that they love themselves. To paraphrase James: A living faith in God is manifest by a life lived for our neighbor. In short, love like Jesus. At the end of the story, Jesus asks,
“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” (Luke 10:36) Hmmm…!
Physical hurts, destructive relationships, devastating trauma, hopeless despair and death, that’s life in a sin troubled world. God sent Jesus for that reason. Need help? Get to know Jesus. And, Church, let’s be about making Him known. But never forget, “People won’t care what you know until they know that you care for them.”
So, let’s prove that ‘like a good neighbor,’ Christ’s church is there. May Jesus compassion flow abundantly through His body, the church.
Find mercy and hope at Pine Grove Bible Church. We meet at the Lion’s Club on M-15 Sunday’s at 9:30
No one needs to remind our family of the significance of July 8. It was two years ago to the date, at exactly 5:28 PM, when our sovereign God suddenly welcomed three of our loved ones to His heavenly abode. We’ve been reminded often that our kid’s are better there in heaven than here with us. How true that is, yet our pain in enjoying their physical presence still gnaws deep. 
One Mind Striving 