Good Samaritan from the Person Robbed Perspective

The Good Samaritan from the Robbed Person’s Perspective 

I was riding confidently on the road to Jericho,when masked men appeared suddenly and roped me around my torso.From my donkey I was pulled down and pinned by two husky men to the ground. 

I wanted to shout, but my face was slappedand a heavy hand was pressed on my mouth. 

My golden necklace was yanked;

leaving a gush on my neck.Then they took all my shekels and hit me till I was a wreck. 

Numb from head to foot,I couldn’t see and could barely hearthe eerie distant sound of an owl’s hoot.

I told myself to be brave and be patient. It will be a long dark night,but surely morning will come and there’ll be light. 

I was barely conscious but could take stock of my life.I counted the times I have been vicious to people,

including my children and my wife.

It is part of life’s tragicomedy,that one does things for which he will be sorry. 

“I will try to change,” I told myself.

“I will amend. I will have a new life in exchangefor a rescue from my present predicament.I will relate to all in a new way.”

I promised God before the dawning of the new day. 

Loud steps awakened me.I could barely open my eyesbut from afar I could easily recognizethe man on the donkey was a temple priest. “A man of God is coming!”I was grateful. Help, at long last, is in the offing. 

My heart sunk very low—for the man just gave me a quick glance then walked away hesitatingly but slow.It was obvious he didn’t want to take the chance to touch, or be seen with, a person dying,lest his action taint his sacrificial offering. 

As a child I went to the temple.I remember how the priests exhorted the people:“To love Yahweh and do great a favorby loving, as yourself, your neighbor.”The law must be practiced daily for the prophets taught that religion is one with morality. 

If only people listen to the prophets,I would not be in this horrible situation.

They taught about love and justice, about righteousness and compassion,that religious sacrifices are less important than life overflowing with justice and love abundant! 

I was about to faint againwhen I noticed a Levite was approaching.

The young Levite would ease my pain and he will help me out of my suffering.

Oh, no! He is also going away – 

Why, temple people aren’t supposed to act this way! 

“O men of the temple,

caretakers of Yahweh’s tabernacle –listen to the groaning of oppressed people; lessen the pain and hardship of those who struggle.

There is more than just worship and ritual; there are more pressing and greater needs than the spiritual!” 

The sun is now at its brightest;

its searing heat is burning my face.I am aching all over! Is this heaven’s test?Have I been so bad, have I been so base?“Why should I die before my time?”God forbid! Without me, my wife and children will cling to a vine. 

I wanted to go to sleep.

I have lost a lot of blood and I’m very weak. 

Then I heard the sound of a horse’s footsteps. 

It would just be my luck if it were another priest. 

“Oh, no. This is even worse; it is a Samaritan! 

He won’t help and I wouldn’t want to be touched by such a man.”

Quickly he alighted from his beastAnd walked toward where I rest.

So he would leave, I pretended to be dead.Not to be deterred, he knelt and put his hand on my forehead.

He whispered to me not to worry;

That he will help and will deliver me from my misery. 

Our people hate the Samaritans.I learned this since I was a child.

But if you ask me, I do not really know why.

And how can I hate this man who has come to help me?

He seems sincere and has no qualms about helping a dying Jew, gently stroking my head with his palms. 

The Samaritan salved my wounds,

and washed the dirty dried blood on my face,

then put me on his horse to the nearest inn.

I heard him tell the innkeeper to take good care of me and promised he will come back to pay for his service.The innkeeper took him at his word–a man of honor he must be! 

My experience taught me greatly,

about loving, instead of hating, an enemy.

Now I know the meaning of “loving a neighbor as yourself”

The Samaritan by his action showed me!

I did not get to know him nor able to say, “Thank you.”

But I’m sure he’d say, “I am deeply grateful for the chance to help you!” 

“Love your neighbor”—

Not an easy commandment to follow.

Who are the people I must regard as my neighbor?

For the Samaritan that is the wrong question.

How can I be a neighbor? That should be the intention. 

The Samaritan taught me to be, not to find, but but to be a neighbor! 

1 Ecclesiastes 7:17b

Chiang Mai, Thailand

June 2004.