FOLLOW ME (Part 1)
Luke chapter 10, verses 25-37 brings us the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Here we have a story about a well-to-do legal eagle anxious to make an impression
and display his knowledge of the scriptures. But Jesus threw back the challenge
and asked him who was the neighbour and the lawyer replied “the one who had mercy
on him.” And Jesus told him to, “Go and do likewise.”
There is a modern version of this story. It concerned a travelling salesman
who lived somewhere in the United States. He had had a busy week and was
returning to his home town. He stopped his car for a break at a roadside coffee
shop. As he sat drinking his coffee he heard a girl quietly crying in the next
booth. He didn’t want to get involved but he was moved by her obvious distress.
The girl was about 17, the same age as his own daughter. Against his better
judgement he introduced himself and asked if he could help. The girl whose name
was Lisa told him that she was from a broken home and had got into bad company.
She was into drugs and had turned to prostitution to pay for them. Moved as he
was, he just bought the girl a meal and continued his journey.
Later that evening he shared his experience with his family, how his heart
had reached out to her and how he wanted to help her in some way. His family
suggested that he return to that town and try to find Lisa again and offer to
help. He eventually located her. He discovered that she was but a number of
girls in that town in similar circumstances who were being exploited by the pimps
and drug pushers. He was so moved by Lisa’s plight that he took her home to his
family, and that started a ministry to try and get those girls off the streets.
Out of that simple beginning over a cup of coffee that man now has three full
time workers and has seen scores of girls come off the streets and get their
lives back together. Some of those same girls are now part of the team. The
ministry became so successful that it earned that man a Presidential citation.
He acted like a good Samaritan. He could have got together with his church
fellowship and said, “we need to pray for these girls, they must be set free.”
If that was all he had done nothing would have happened. We need to pray, but we
need to act. We need to pray, not for the situation itself but for the courage
and strength to step out in faith and do something about it according to the
gifts that God has given us.
There are a million stories out there. There are thousands of girls like
Lisa and there are countless examples of injustice, corruption, pornography,
abuse, and everywhere there are people needing, searching, desperately trying to
find a new life. We are His hands and feet. When Jesus said ‘follow me’ He
meant it!
Have a good week and watch out for part 2 next week. Pastor Ron
Optional Bible readings: Matthew 25: 40-46; Luke 10:25-37; Ephesians 2:10.
This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement, now in its
fourth year, originating from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania,
Australia. A companion Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe
email <> with the words ‘subscribe word’ (or) ‘subscribe word
and study’ Enquire about our weekly e-mail newsletter for young people. Our
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Pastor Ron Clarke JP (Mark 16:15)
An e-mail from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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