Comfortable Bystanders

 

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said, “The one who showed mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:36 – 37

 

This reveals my age, but I remember the shock of the nation over an article that hit the paper when I was in high school. It reported an incident in New York City (NYC) where a woman was killed on her way home from work at 3 AM. She screamed for help and several people were seen looking out their windows, but no one went to her aide.

From our small town perspective, we thought it was a big city issue. But, after a conversation about this, I went looking for information on the crime against the NYC victim, Kitty Genovese. There is a lot written about it and a theory was formulated about why so many stood back and did nothing.

The result of one study was published and it resulted in a new “social psychological phenomenon” called the “Bystander Effect.” Wikipedia describes it like this:

• The bystander effect, or bystander apathy, is a social psychological phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help. Several factors contribute to the bystander effect, including ambiguity, cohesiveness and diffusion of responsibility. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

Christian, we should not be the bystander who walks away or watches and does nothing. Though a discerning mind has to evaluate each situation, we are commanded to respond: to rescue those being taken away to death (Proverbs 24:11), give what is needed to the poor (Proverbs 28:27), to help a woman who cries out because she is being assaulted (Deuteronomy 22:23-24),  to assist a neighbor or an enemy with stray or hurt livestock (Exodus 23:4, Deuteronomy 22:1-4), and, of course, to help our injured neighbor as illustrated by the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:31-32).

Personally, I am convicted by these verses. It is telling on us that it is when there are several people around an incident that requires help that most will find it easy to walk away. “Someone else will help them,” seems to be the mindset. We love our comfort and hate the anguish of others.

An accident, a homeless beggar, an assault, a stray dog running through our neighborhood, or someone injured that needs a ride to the hospital. Scripturally, we should be eager (Matthew 25:45)o act.

Realistically, are we more like the rest of the world, and leave the need for someone else?