July 21 -- "Don't Look Away"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 22

"Don't Look Away"

In the first part of chapter 22, Moses gives a collection of brief exhortations about day-to-day living.  He urges the people to act in such a way that is caring and helpful to those around them.  In our culture, these short exhortations might fall under the heading of “Good Samaritan Laws.”  The gist of most of these verses is “don’t look away” when you see your fellow human being in need.

If you see someone’s ox or sheep wandering off loose, don’t look the other way as if you didn’t see it. Return it promptly.  If you see your friend’s donkey or ox injured along the road, don’t look the other way. Help him get it up and on its way.  If its owner does not live nearby or you don’t know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it. 

Jesus capitalized on this idea of helping others in Luke 10 when He taught us about the man who had been beaten by robbers and left seriously injured on the side of the road.  In this illustration, Jesus first points out two people who looked the other way.  First, a priest, followed by a Levite.  These two men knew better.  They were alleged adherents to the Law of Moses, but when it came down to practical application of God’s commands, they simply turned their head and walked on by.  Finally, a Samaritan came along, and in a real practical way helped restore this victim.

The whole idea of these verses is: don’t ignore the needs of others.  You are repeatedly called upon in Scripture to love your neighbor as yourself.  And this love for your neighbor comes through in several concrete, practical actions.

How do you react when you see someone in need?  Perhaps a homeless person freezing in the cold.  Or a neighbor who just lost his job and might lose his home.  Or your friend who is deeply saddened by the grief of loss.  Buried deep within our human nature is the tendency to “look away”  And then we try to rationalize our lack of care by telling ourself that “I can’t solve all the world’s problems.”

You don’t have to solve all the world’s problems.  Just return someone’s donkey. Or give them a warm jacket.  Or offer financial support.  Or walk with them in their time of need.  It really doesn’t take much to love your neighbor, so do it.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our natural human tendency to ignore the needs of others.  Whatever you do, don’t look away.