What Would Jesus Do?
Author; Pat Aman
June 1, 2019
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Tonight I want to give memory and honor to where it is due.
My brother-in-law, J.B. was, and my sister, Ruby is one of the best-hearted people I know. It did not matter when friends, family, church, community, town or parish called them they were there, as soon as possible, no questions asked, and they never maked anyone feel like they were a bother. They were just that way.
They were hard workers, who worked a big farm.
But, one thing I remember is J.B. did not just plant a garden for them, but big enough for the community.
I have personally seen their living room floor covered with peas, butter beans, corn and anything else that could be put in their and others freezers for the winter months. And sitting around that living room would be neighbors shelling peas, or putting up corn.
At the end of the day or week, people’s freezers were full.
They would even let people pick on halves. In other words, you go to field and pick, and however much you pick you just bring half by the house for Ruby to put up in her freezer.
I was visiting one fall, when three grown men’s came to visit Ruby. J.B. has already made his heavenly journey home. These men came by to visit Ruby and thank her and J.B. for planting and sharing those vegetables with them and their mother.
They told Ruby, when they were young boys, they were not honest with her. And they wanted to apologize for not giving her what was agreed on. They said, we left some in the field and picked them up after we settled with you.
Ruby said, “I already knew you were doing that, but, I just let it go.
J.B. and Ruby even furnished nice houses for their farm workers. And Ruby cooked every meal at lunch for them. They would come from the field, and sit at their table and eat. Even their wives and children came and ate.
Now because of Ruby’s health she is in a Senior Care Facility. She cannot walk, but she just turned, 87 on May 28th. But, even though she cannot walk on her own, she has a Hot Rod Lincoln wheelchair. And daily she goes up and down the halls, checking on all the residents, and praying for them.
One individual who could not make it to the facility in time, told her daughters that Ruby did not let her mother died alone. Ruby was holding her hand as she took her last breath.
So, again I can say, Ruby knows what Jesus would do.🥰
Listen, I am bragging a little, but, I can honestly say, “ J.B. and Ruby knew the meaning to What Would Jesus Do!”
They did not judge people. They did not belittle people. They did not lie about people. They had a servants heart.
Tonight, I watched the movie once again, “What Would Jesus Do?”
A small town falling apart because of slander and greed.
But, a homeless man, came into the town, and with just a few words touched the hearts of the people.
Each person started thinking, is my decision going to make a difference? They started saying, “What would Jesus Do?”
I can tell you that J.B. And Ruby listened to God’s voice when it prompted them to do something for someone. They have been known to go against the better judgment of others around them and help people in need. They always gave the person a chance.
They have helped people in their community who needed help, in physical sickness, and financial problems, not asking for anything in return.
They were Good Samaritans….
Again, they knew, “What Would Jesus Do?”
In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus talks about another person who was stranded on a lonely stretch of road between Jerusalem and Jericho. Some thieves had stripped him of his clothes, wounded him, and left him half-dead. Can you imagine how demoralized he must have been? We don’t know how long he had been lying there, but after a period of time, a priest happened to walk by. I can just imagine that if the poor man had enough presence of mind to be coherent and see the priest, hope must have risen in his heart. A priest! Surely he would stop and help him and minister to his needs. But, do you know the priest did just the opposite of what you and I would assume he would do? When he saw the wounded man, he crossed over and walked on the other side of the road! Did he pretend it wasn’t happening? Did he feel a twinge of conscience as he left the man lying there? Did he think if he moved to the other side of the road where his cries for help weren’t so easy to hear, he would be excused of his moral obligation? Whatever his line of reasoning, he failed the poor man miserably.
Later, a Levite happened to pass by. Ah! Surely this time help had arrived! Levites were of the strictest religious order! They knew the law inside and out and followed it to the tee. So, that part about loving your neighbor as yourself, surely they knew it by heart, right? But, do you know what the Levite did? The Bible says, “when he (the Levite) was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” He looked on him! He saw his condition! And he made the choice to walk away. How could he know the law so thoroughly and yet feel that he was justified in not carrying it out in everyday life? Did he happen to look over his shoulder and feel any remorse? Did the wounded man’s eyes plead with him for mercy and send a sting of guilt into his hardened heart? Whatever transpired, he kept walking, and the man kept suffering.
Then along came another person. I can just imagine the wounded man hearing footsteps coming nearer…and nearer…and with each sound of a step, his hope must have increased! But, what disappointment as the traveler drew near enough to see his face! A Samaritan! Hope was gone, he would never stop. Everyone knew Samaritans and Jews didn’t speak to each other. They didn’t interact; they avoided one another at all costs. There had been generations-long feuding between Jews and Samaritans, so why would this one be any different? But, wait! He was slowing down his pace. He was looking at him! What would he do? Would he finish him off and leave him all the way dead? Would he laugh when he saw his helpless plight? Or would he see the seriousness of his condition, then cross to the other side of the road like all of the others? Maybe the wounded man didn’t even want the Samaritan’s help, maybe he recoiled to think of him even touching him, so fierce was the hatred between the two races.
Whatever the thoughts in the two men’s minds, the Bible says, “…and when he (the Samaritan) saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.” This man went over and beyond the call of duty. He couldn’t ignore the injured man’s cries. He could not walk away and pretend it wasn’t happening. He couldn’t let their differences stop him from doing what was right.
Jesus went on to ask, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?” The correct answer was, “he that shewed mercy unto him”. Jesus replied, “Go, and do thou likewise.”
Sometimes, our neighbor is our enemy. Sometimes, our neighbor is different from us. Sometimes, our neighbor is one who has hurt us in the past and caused us pain. Sometimes, our neighbor is a stranger. Whoever it is, Jesus wants us to show mercy. It is much easier to turn away than to get involved in messy situations. But, did Jesus do that? Do you ever read of someone undesirable coming to Jesus and Him looking at them, then turning and going as far away from them as possible? Did He ever hold back His mercy just because the person was different or unfavorable? Has He ever been merciful to you, my friend? “Go, and do thou likewise”.
Maybe, we need to make a mental note in our hearts and mine, and start saying, “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?”
Song
What Would Jesus Do?
Adam Gregory
They stopped saying prayers in school yesterday
And there’s a boarded up
Run down church
Down on third and main
The Mission’s overflowing
And the crime rate just keeps growing
And I’m not sure where it’s gonna stop.
But man, this world is all we got.
What would Jesus do in time like these?
Would He walk among the sinners,
Fall to His knees?
Heal the sick,
Save lost souls the way He used to?
Would he threw up his hands and just walk away?
Cry a tear for a world that’s gone astray.
I’m not sure, but God, Iwish I knew,
What would Jesus do?
What if He appeared right where you stand?
Could you look Him in the eye,
Reach out and take His hand?
Show Him how we are changing this place
Day by day with his amazing grace?
It doesn’t look like heaven on earth
So I have to ask,
Are we doing right?
What would Jesus do in time like these?
Would He walk among the sinners,
Fall to His knees?
Heal the sick,
Save lost souls the way He used to?
Would he threw up his hands and just walk away?
Cry a tear for a world that’s gone astray.
I’m not sure, but God, Iwish I knew,
What would Jesus do?
Would he threw up his hands just walk away?
Cry a tear for a world that’s gone astray.
I’m not sure, but God, I wish I knew,
What would Jesus do?
What would Jesus do?
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