PASTOR’S COLUMN. Jesus said, “A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest/levite/Samaritan was going down that road when he saw him”… Luke 10:25-37
A seminary professor gave an extra-credit opportunity. The students who participated met him at the library to receive their assignments.
The professor divided the students into three groups. He gave the first group envelopes telling them to walk across campus to a lecture hall. He told them that they had 15 minutes, and if they didn't arrive on time, it would affect their grade.
A minute or two later, he handed out envelopes to the second group. They were also to walk to the same lecture hall, but they had 45 minutes. He then gave the third group three hours to get to the same location.
The students were unaware that their professor had arranged for three drama students to meet them along the way. Close to the beginning of their walk, one of the drama students sat, head in his hands, moaning aloud as if in great pain. About half way the seminary students passed a man who was lying face down as if unconscious. Finally, on the steps of the lecture hall, the third drama student was acting out a seizure. In the first group of students, those who had only 15 minutes, no one stopped to help. In the second group, two students stopped to help. In the last group, which had three hours for their assignment, all of the students stopped to help at least one person.
The professor had clearly shown these seminarians that being in a hurry affects good intentions. It would be ideal were we never in a hurry, but so often we are, and often enough we have no way of slowing down. Interestingly, the professor had also proven that groups such as retirees, who may have more time on their hands than they did when working, are a welcome addition to Christ’s ministry. -DJ
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