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Topic: PUNCH (08/27/20)
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TITLE: Death Blows | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debra Brand
09/03/20 -
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As I lay on the side of the road, I remembered I had traveled down from Jerusalem, down from the safety and security of my hometown. As I entered the lowlands, robbers appeared from nowhere, took my money and belongings, beat me. I don’t know how much time had passed but it was nearing dusk.
My ears strained to hear if they were still near, waiting to finish me off. The cooler evening air was chilling my bones due to the lack of my clothing. Shivering started. I could hear the howl of the coyote hunting the smell of blood. Scavenger birds squawked as they circled overhead.
I heard someone walking. I peered out of my swollen eyes to see if it was friend or foe. It was a priest. I lifted my arm to get the man of God’s attention. He looked. He looked away and crossed to the other side. I moaned and reached out seeking his help. But, he continued on his way. Couldn’t he even share a prayer or a blessing? My fogged mind fought despair.
Soon, I heard another set of footsteps. Hope rose again only to sink as the Levite passed by on the other side. In Jerusalem the Levites helped with social programs, so why wouldn’t he attend to me? My eyes followed his disappearing figure and a painful sigh escaped my lips.
I don’t know how long I lay there waiting, waiting. Is this it, Lord? Could this cold, hard, stony dirt gutter be my coffin? Where is the God of the helpless?
A large horse and dark rider trotted closer and closer. Through the misty darkness, I could see it was a Samaritan. Help won’t come from him, either. Gentiles are uncaring and not to be a part of a Jew’s life. The Lord hasn’t helped. Death would be a relief to my soul and body. So I waited for the complete blackness hoping for unconsciousness before the birds pecked out my eyes and coyotes tore my skin.
To my surprise, the Samaritan dismounted his horse and attended to my wounds. He cleansed them with wine and applied bandages to stem the flow of blood. I felt my body lifted up on the steed. We arrived at an inn. In my amazement, he took me inside and laid me on a bed to rest. He cared for me and made sure I ate, drank, and slept. I had never felt such mercy even from my own people. Soon the Samaritan continued on his journey but left me in the hands of the innkeeper.
He said he would return and I would return to life. Who would have thought a Gentile would care for me but not my own people. Life has its blows in more ways than one but God is good.
Based upon Luke 10:30-37 NASB
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