A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

-Luke 10:31-33, NIV

This passage is out of the famous “Parable of the Good Samaritan” found in Luke 10:25-37.

It illustrates to me an interesting principle I have experienced in my life. This principle has to do with disappointment and unexpected support.

What do I mean by “disappointment and unexpected support?”

Jesus sets up the story with the expectation that Jewish people would take care of their own. You would think the religious leaders would recognize the value of a human life and set aside their belief systems to protect that life. But they don’t…for whatever reason.

Instead, the outcaste, the Samaritan, takes care of the hurting man.

He is an unexpected support. This is the one who truly loved his neighbor.

Sometimes, I have found people who ought to be part of my community as far as “right” beliefs are concerned were as callous and cold to my pain as the priest and Levite in this story. They either avoided or added to my suffering.

Then there were people with whom I had significant theological disagreement. Yet they loved me like a good neighbor.

I am grateful for their “unexpected support.” God used them in my life even if they do or did not believe in God as I understand Him.

It is confounding.

The disappointment and pain one feels from some “friends” refusing–for whatever reason–to not support you is real.

On the other hand, the “unexpected support” is like a breath of fresh air for a drowning man. There is no way to ever repay the kindness of these Good Samaritans.