If you have ever had the privilege of reading the parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25–37, you likely know the beauty and wonder behind an incredible individual giving their absolute all to the cause of another. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so and allow the brilliance of this passage to illuminate your life. For in this story, we see Jesus depicting the character we ought to have if we desire to live eternally with Him.

Without reserve, the protagonist in the story draws near to the critically injured man on the road, and Scripture says that when all others neglected him, this Samaritan “came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33–34).

You can already see quite easily that Jesus is referring to an individual with a self-sacrificing character as the standard to live in accordance with the melody of heaven, for anything else would be a discordant note. The Samaritan, however, does not stop here, but the story continues: “The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have’” (Luke 10:35).

The Samaritan did not do this out of obligation to his own kin; in fact, it was understood that the men did not share a common background. There was no expected benefit in giving all his time, energy, and financial resources to this man. The Samaritan did this out of a glad and cheerful heart, out of an overflow from something beyond him, a spring of water welling up into eternal life.

Matthew 25:40 says, “‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Harbor of Hope has only been able to live this out because of the strength and leadership of Pastor Jharony Gibbs and several other leaders. Because of this, Harbor of Hope has become a beacon of hope in the community and has raised awareness of life-giving messages and lifestyles.

This season, the Harbor of Hope Church, the Benton Harbor community, and I, Pastor Jonathan Garcia, thank her for all the self-sacrificing time, energy, and more that she has poured out in furthering the kingdom of God. When there was someone hungry, when there were those who thirsted, when a stranger was in need, Pastor Jharony was there and present.

So for this, we say thank you. As we press on into a new year, let us hold a zeal in our hearts to have the spirit of heaven and to minister to those around us.