Comments on: What Would Jesus Really Have Done?

By: Joseph

Joseph — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:16:08 +0000

thanks dan and terry for your comments.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:01:35 +0000

Weekly happening for us as well… and my heart breaks every time as well, especially since we’re a smaller church and you can imagine our resources would be depleted very fast if we helped everyone even in some small way. Sometimes, I’ll just get a feeling and do that… help even if it depletes the reserves, and then build them back up with special offerings. But a HUGE help for us has been working with a community organization that can do checks on folks and particularly folks who abuse help. Additionally, instead of running our own food bank and getting completely overwhelmed, we collect here and take it to this organization as well as financial contributions. Even when I feel bad when I refer folks to this organization and they say they’ve already contacted them but they can’t help, I take solace in that we’re doing what we can right now through responsible channels. Even the Samaritan couldn’t provide complete care! He had to hand it off to the innkeeper. Maybe that’s another hidden lesson there. No one can provide it all.

Except Jesus!

By: Terry

Terry — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:56:00 +0000

This is a weekly happening at my church and it is difficult when to know when and how to help. It is helpful to become informed about ALL the services available in your area and when needed, the surrounding areas as well. Sometimes people will need to go to another town for assistance. Sometimes we pay for a hotel room for a night or two to give time to discover options. It is not possible to help everyone and sometimes the help offered is rejected, yet I have decided that we will at least try instead of saying “sorry, call someone else.” Having someone who cares enough to make some phone calls or give a ride makes a big difference to a person in crisis.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:43:10 +0000

Thanks, Hyun.
But I would like to ask, should those things get in the way of service to God?

Jesus was questioned about “breaking” the customs and laws when he and his disciples picked food on the Sabbath, and when he healed someone on Sabbath.

Jesus quotes God saying “I desire mercy not sacrifice.” I can kinda relate that to ask what’s more important:
to follow customs and the law or
to show mercy and love for your neighbor?

It’s a learning process. =)
you coming to cali anytime soon?

By: Hyun

Hyun — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:36:11 +0000

Well… If you really think about that particular Parable, the Levite and the Priest had valid reasons for them not to get involved in the situation. I mean obviously the guy was bleeding and injured. If the Levite or the Priest were to have gotten blood on them, they really couldn’t perform the functions that they are supposed to do in society. I think Jesus was trying to get at that particular notion. What is proper? I don’t want to say what you should have done or not done, since I don’t know how I would have done in the situation. I had a similar situation. Don’t knock your self about it. There is a whole world of suffering, and you should take this as a notice served. I’d say learn from this and find out what can you really do? Remember the Samaritan, he had the means, the will, and no restrictions in life. So… yeah… don’t feel too bad about it…