Today the family of Austin Hemmings will say goodbye to a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend. I don't know Austin, but his story has captured the hearts of New Zealanders, and many today will grieve with his family.
Last Thursday, Austin Hemmings went to the help of a woman calling for help, and paid for it with his life. He died where he fell, on a city street during rush-hour traffic.
I doubt he could have foreseen the consequences when he went to the woman's assistance or the fact that the assailant was going to turn nasty. To help a stranger is something that many people have done without hesitating. Just a few blocks away my DH was walking from his motel to the venue where he was to have dinner. He saw the police and the paramedics and the roadblocks, but it wasn't until later that he heard what had happened. Would he have stopped to help if he had been asked? Probably - and yet now some people will think twice. Such an act has caused some to ask: "Is it worth it?"
The media are calling Austin Hemmings a "Good Samaritan". An interesting choice of words. Austin Hemmings did go to the help of a stranger - yet she wasn't his enemy. But she was his neighbour.
The story of the Good Samaritan is about loving our neighbour. Transcending all barriers of culture, race, religion, gender to love. Loving as Christ loved us. For while we were His enemies, separated from Him by our sin, He laid down His life for us so that we could be saved and receive forgiveness. We did nothing to deserve it but He did it anyway. Willingly. Lovingly. The True Samaritan.
Last Thursday, Austin Hemmings went to the help of a woman calling for help, and paid for it with his life. He died where he fell, on a city street during rush-hour traffic.
I doubt he could have foreseen the consequences when he went to the woman's assistance or the fact that the assailant was going to turn nasty. To help a stranger is something that many people have done without hesitating. Just a few blocks away my DH was walking from his motel to the venue where he was to have dinner. He saw the police and the paramedics and the roadblocks, but it wasn't until later that he heard what had happened. Would he have stopped to help if he had been asked? Probably - and yet now some people will think twice. Such an act has caused some to ask: "Is it worth it?"
The media are calling Austin Hemmings a "Good Samaritan". An interesting choice of words. Austin Hemmings did go to the help of a stranger - yet she wasn't his enemy. But she was his neighbour.
The story of the Good Samaritan is about loving our neighbour. Transcending all barriers of culture, race, religion, gender to love. Loving as Christ loved us. For while we were His enemies, separated from Him by our sin, He laid down His life for us so that we could be saved and receive forgiveness. We did nothing to deserve it but He did it anyway. Willingly. Lovingly. The True Samaritan.
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