Good Samaritans Jumping Into Action After A Fiery Motorcycle Crash
Earlier this month, a motorcyclist miraculously survived a collision with the fuel tank of a dump truck in Nanching, China. Video surveillance shows the man, identified as Chen, crashing into the truck at high speeds, and immediately catching on fire. But with the help of fast-acting Good Samaritans, Chen is expected to make a full recovery.
Here’s the story
Chen was speeding down the highway when he came to a busy intersection. As a dump truck pulled out into the middle of the intersection, Chen, unable to stop, collided with the truck and instantaneously caught on fire.
Due to the fire, the truck driver, Yang Juyong, was unable to exit through the driver’s side door. According to Juyong, “I opened the door on the passenger side and jumped out. Then I rushed to the injured man and rescued him.”
Unconcerned about his own vehicle, Juyong frantically rushed to the aid of Chen: “The first thing that came into my mind was rescuing the man. I did not care that my truck was burned. What I was thinking was trying to rescue that man first.”
Good Samaritans
But Juyong was not the only one to help Chen, who by this point was rolling on the ground, engulfed in flames. As you watch the amazing footage, you will see dismayed onlookers transform into Good Samaritans as they rush to pull Chen to the side of the road and pat out the flames.
Thanks to their help, Chen avoided life-threatening injuries.
Meeting The Needs of Our Neighbors
If you watch the video closely, you will notice something glaringly obvious – not everyone stopped to help. In fact, another large truck simply maneuvered around the burning, desperate man, and went on its way – unwilling to be bothered by the plight of a stranger. Likely, the truck driver was busy, with places to go and a tight schedule to keep.
Yet, as Christians, we are called to pull over – even in the midst of a busy life – and minister to the needs of desperate strangers. Indeed, when a young lawyer asked Jesus “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan.
A high-status priest and Levite were too busy and/or encumbered by burdensome laws to meet the needs of a half-dead man who had been beaten by robbers and left to die on the roadside. Yet a low-status Samaritan took compassion on him, patched up his wounds, helped him into town, and gave him lodging. Who was the man’s neighbor? The Samaritan – the one who showered mercy upon him (Luke 10:29-37).
It is not enough to preach the Gospel to those in need. As Christ-followers, we follow the example of our Savior, who addressed the spiritual and material needs of acquaintances and strangers alike.
Full Speed Ahead
Traffic police suspect that Chen was driving too fast, so he was unable to stop even when he saw the truck. But once you look past the legality, does it matter? The real question to ask – instead of who’s to blame – is who will help? It is human nature to make mistakes, but the real question is will we be there to help our neighbors in their time of greatest need?
What about you – will you follow the example of these Good Samaritans and race to the aid of a complete stranger? Or will you drive on past?
