On Sunday, April 2, 2017, a vehicle containing 6 people flipped on its side in a crash on I-96 in Michigan.  Two people in separate vehicles stopped to help; they are hailed as “Good Samaritans.”  One was Dr. Cynthia Ray, a pulmonologist at Henry Ford Hospital; the other was Sean English, a teenager and student at University of Detroit Jesuit High School.

As the two “Good Samaritans” were trying to assist the passengers of the overturned vehicle, another vehicle driven by a 17-year-old rounded a curve and accidentally struck Dr. Ray and English.  English suffered a broken pelvis and had to have a foot amputated due to the accident.  The latest report states that the 17-year-old driver who struck the responders is on life support.  Last Wednesday night, Dr. Ray died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The physician died trying to help others.

A statement from Henry Ford Hospital said Dr. Ray was a beloved physician, colleague, daughter, sister, and friend.  Fox 2 Detroit reports that Dr. Mike Eichenhorn, a mentor and close friend, described Dr. Ray as a “giving, generous spirit.”  The report also described Dr. Ray as “a consummate caregiver – capable, caring and committed.”  Dr. Eichenhorn elaborated: “It would have been impossible for Cyndi to pass by the car that overturned because that's the kind of person she was.  She was always there to help others.  At her bedside, she had visitors from all walks of life whom she had helped through difficult situations.  She embodied selflessness.”

It was Jesus who told the parable – the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) – in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”  His answer was essentially: “your neighbor is anyone whose needs you can help meet.”  Dr. Ray and Sean English embodied Jesus’ teaching by responding to others in time of need.  Both suffered great loss as a result; for Dr. Ray it cost her life.

It was Jesus Himself who was the Greatest “Good Samaritan”: for He helped the greatest number (all of humanity) with the greatest malady (sin, Romans 3:23).  In order to save us from our sins, Jesus had to give His life as payment for our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).  His death was no accident.  Many cried out for His crucifixion.  Yet, it was all a part of God’s plan to redeem man from sin (see Acts 2:23): only the sinless Son of God could pay the price for the sins of mankind (1 John 2:2).

So Jesus, the Great Physician, went to the cross and died for our sins so that we can have forgiveness for our sins and receive the gift of eternal life.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

He died so that YOU might live.

Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “Good Samaritan injured helping victims in Michigan crash has died” by Fox 2 Detroit as viewed on www.foxnews.com.  Published April 06, 2017.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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