Why would someone risk his own safety, ruin his schedule, and get himself dirty and bloody to help a needy person of another race and social class? And why would Jesus tell us, “Go and do likewise”? Like the wounded man on the Jericho Road in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, there are needy people in our path — the widow next door, the large family strapped with medical bills, the homeless man outside our place of worship.

God calls us to be ministers of mercy to those in need of assistance, food, shelter, or even just friendship. Author Timothy Keller is Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Manhattan, and has led his church into significant practical service and opportunity for the gospel by caring for the needy around them in New York City.