Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ACT (05/05/22)
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TITLE: Down The Same Road | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
05/06/22 -
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The parable had been easy to understand. As an expert in the law, he had asked for clarification around who his neighbor was and the rabbi had let him know that it was anyone who needed assistance. Still, it was disturbing and threatened the careful categories he liked to use for those in his world.
The parable included a priest, who Ezra honored as close to God, walking by a bloodied victim of a mugging. That might be understandable if the priest was on his way to do his duty but the duty had clearly been done, the worship offered, and now the religious leader was heading home, satisfied in his sacrificial acts. He was going down the same road to Jericho and yet he never stopped to help.
A Levite, going down that same road, continued on without helping. Again, his duties were done, and his acts before God completed. Perhaps the priest and the Levite had even served this poor wretch earlier in the day. Perhaps they had looked him in the face and offered him forgiveness as he gave his lamb. Did his previous act mean nothing now?
The worst part of the parable was that a wretched Samaritan, one that the best of his people despised, became the hero of the story – the true neighbor. What was a Samaritan doing going down this same road? He should have been traveling another route back to his own home? And to think an innkeeper had welcomed him and his filthy money.
All these thoughts had circled in Ezra’s mind like the hawk but now they swirled over and over like a wind-swept tumbleweed. A crumpled tunic huddled in a ditch. Could it be the victim of a mugging like the story pictured? There was no one around. If he hurried on by like the priest and Levite no one would know.
And yet, there was a niggling. He’d gone up to the Temple after the parable was shared. He’s offered his lamb and accepted the forgiveness. He felt clean and fresh to start again. All his old acts had been covered and cleaned. What did this all mean on this same road where the story was just a story? Why had some inconsiderate fool chosen to get mugged now?
He took a step closer. Was that a moaning? The fool was still alive. His own donkey was strong enough to carry someone but did that mean he’d have to walk all the way back? What if the victim died on the way? Would he be defiled and have to redo everything to get clean again? He pulled on his donkey to go past but the beast refused to move. He wasn’t going to leave this animal for the bandits.
How had the priest and Levite resolved this issue to get around that body? Of course, the Samaritan stopped and helped. Those people were already defiled and their actions mattered little to God. Why did that rabbi have to tell that story today?
Ezra pulled his donkey closer. Was that a movement? Where was everyone when you needed help? The sun was blistering today. Maybe the least he could do was to offer some water. He unfastened his gourd and shuffled slowly to the body. It definitely moved.
“Help?” The sound was muffled but clear. He moved a step closer. The body looked familiar. As he leaned further over the form he gasped. The bloodied cheeks, the puffy eyes, the dirt-filled beard hid nothing. He knew this one. It was his son.
“Benjamin!” he called. “Son, what happened? Why are you here?”
“I came for you,” Benjamin moaned. “You were late. I was waiting for you. I didn’t see them coming.”
“Let me help you,” Ezra said. “You shouldn’t have come on your own. Drink some water. Easy.” He pulled his son into an embrace, easing him up to drink. “Where does it hurt? Did they take anything? Why didn’t you wait for me?”
“A rabbi told me you’d be on this road.”
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Ezra like many would ask the question “Who would know?”
Down The Same Road fit the topic and the questions Ezra asked himself are questions many people would ask if in that position.
This is a very memorable and well crafted essay.
Your story started well. It was well communicated and flowed smooothly.
The ending took me by surprise. You hit it out of the park.
Thank you for the thought.