Yet Another “good” Samaritan!

This WEB site was and is not intended to be a newspaper as such, however in just a week there is yet another account of a “good Samaritan” putting his life on the line to help his fellow man! For that reason we need to point out the good things that come out of tragedy.

This latest situation occurred on Tuesday (2-23-10) in Littleton (Jefferson County), Colorado, less than three miles from Columbine High School where another tragic shooting rampage took place in 1999. The children at Deerfield Middle School had just been dismissed for the day and were waiting for buses or other forms of transportation when a deranged convicted felon opened fire on them with a rifle.

Two children were hit; a 14-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl. The girl was treated and released but the boy is in critical condition with a shot to the chest.

The teacher, Dr. David Benke, a math teacher and a father of three himself, was on “parking lot monitor” duty when he heard the shots. He ran and subdued the (alleged) shooter and wrestled him to the ground. Another teacher then came and helped to hold the man down.

Dr. Benke later said that he noticed the shooter had a bolt-action rifle rather than an automatic and “calculated” that there would be a time-delay while he chambered the next round. He took that brief opportunity to apprehend the man.

(Please note that I do not generally list the names of criminals, so as to not give them additional notoriety for their dastardly deeds).

Dr. Benke, like Robin DeHaven in Austin, TX, last week, joins a list of those who, setting aside their own safety, step forward to do what is right, to help.  Included in that list are many (some unknown to man but now seated with Christ in Heavenly places) who in fact did lose their lives because of their bravery or their love of the Lord. Rachel Scott from Columbine High School and Lauren McCain of Virginia Tech (2007) who were known to attempt to stop those rampages by sharing Christ with the assailants, are only two examples of young people who refused to deny their Lord, and lost their lives.

We lament the loss of our fellow Christians in situations like these but they knew they were in “the army of the Lord”. As I have said previously, soldiers are placed on the front lines by the “Commander” and sometimes soldiers get wounded or even killed in His service. Their rewards are greater than the Congressional Medal of Honor! When we see them again they will be wearing their white (for purity) robes and will be seated with Christ!

Thanks to Dr. Benke for his selflessness (as well as his knowledge of weapons) as he rushed forward to help. We are praying for the young man who (at this time) is fighting for his life from the wounds, his parents and family, and for the medical team trying to save his life.

In regard to the good Samaritan and his compassionate acts, Jesus asked His disciples that, of those who walked by the injured man on the road: “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.“ (Luke 10:30-37)

This reminder; Jesus was willing to give His life for His fellow man!