He Could Use a Friend

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37 NIV) 

A year ago, a big, strong high school football player’s world came crashing down around him. A lie of his own making ballooned out of control until it popped. All over the country people saw his story and, at best, shook their heads or, at worst, ridiculed him. 

Kevin dreamed of playing football at one of the big colleges. Living in a small town in northern Nevada, he followed the nearby Pac-10 teams, the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of California. The form letters he got from these and other schools convinced him that he could play at one of those places. 

There were two problems, however. First, though he was very big and very strong and even made all-state, he probably did not have enough skills to be offered a scholarship at one of the big schools. A smaller school would probably be a better option. Second, an indifferent student, he had terrible grades that would undoubtedly force him into junior college first anyway. 

Though he believed he was good enough, Kevin eventually realized that his grades were going to keep him out of a major university. Unfortunately, he had already bragged to everyone that these schools were interested in him. The lie grew so big that he took a chance by making the biggest lie of all: in a scene that was being repeated all over the country, he would hold a press conference to announce that he had chosen Cal. It was held in the school gym and carried on local and national television. 

In a matter of hours just a breath toppled the house of cards that Kevin had so carefully constructed. Cal announced that not only had they not offered him a scholarship, but they were also not interested in him at all. 

The hue and cry, though loudest in his hometown, spread across the country. Fingers were pointed at Kevin and his parents. Blame was assigned to his coach and the high school administration. But most of all, people like you and me thought of biblical sayings and common aphorisms that applied to his situation. Your sin will find you out. What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.  

And the truth is we were right. The sins of this high school kid came down upon him like a ton of bricks. But that’s not the end of the story. The best part was yet to come. 

A couple of hours away in California, the athletic director at a small junior college saw the report. But his first thought was not like yours and mine. His decided, “This kid could use a friend.” So, he and the football coach made a concerted effort to invite young Kevin to attend school and play for them. He could get a new start in life and find out if he could make it in college and football. 

They didn’t just make one contact, however. Kevin’s family had retreated into their home and ignored the multiple calls and letters. It took from February to May, but their persistence finally convinced Kevin to reach out to these two strangers who were offering him a lifeline and take it. 

Kevin enrolled in junior college and played on the team last fall, getting better with every game and eventually becoming a starter. Not everything was smooth, however. He stopped attending two of his classes and was declared ineligible for the final couple of games. That had never happened to him in high school. Here, he was being held accountable. As such, he buckled down and now attends all his classes. 

What will next year bring? Who knows? Kevin could wash out or star. Perhaps he will go to a major university or perhaps get an offer at a smaller school. Or maybe he will discover that football is not his future and find out what is. 

I know this, however. While Pharisees like me heaped scorn upon this sinner, a man, of whose spiritual condition I have no clue, decided to be a friend to someone who needed one. Isn’t that what the parable of the Good Samaritan is all about?