Would you help someone if you saw that they were in imminent danger? Or would you just go on your way and hope that things would work out for them in the end? Thankfully, Caden Pabst took the time to help a total stranger — most likely saving his life and possibly others as well.
As Caden was getting onto the I-215 Belt Route near Salt Lake City, Utah, he noticed that the Kia Rio next to him was smoking badly. Suddenly, huge flames shot from underneath the car!
“I was yelling, ‘Move over, right now! Move over!’ And when he gave me the thumbs up, I was like, ‘No, move over, move over, now!’” said Pabst.
As Caden persisted, the driver eventually did pull over. Caden also pulled over, put his car in park, and ran over to the driver, telling him to get his stuff and get out of the car, quickly!
A short time later, the car burst into flames and then exploded! “Oh, it was massive! Pretty solid 10 feet into the air. It was a lot of fire,” Pabst told news outlets. “You just heard a massive explosion, and we went over there and there were little bits of his engine. It was crazy.”
Caden did speak to the driver, who told him that he knew something was wrong with the car, but had no idea that the car was actually on fire. He was planning on getting off at the next exit. But considering how quickly the car burst into flames and then exploded, it is doubtful that he would have made it. Since it was a very busy highway, there was the great likelihood of others being hurt as well.
The driver made certain to express his gratitude to Mr. Pabst and also to the Utah Highway patrolman as well. All of them realized how quickly the situation could have gotten out of control.
Caden said that once he saw the car in flames, he was really grateful that he had persisted and taken the time to help the driver “because a lot of people didn’t.” Caden had been a “good Samaritan” to a perfect stranger!
The Original “Good Samaritan”
The Bible tells us the story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-3525And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. 28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? 30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. (Luke 10:25‑35). This is the story.
A certain man (who represents each of us) journeyed on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. As he went, thieves (acting like our sins do with us) met him, stripping him of his clothing, wounding him and leaving him “half dead.”
A priest (acting like mere religion and tradition today) travelling that way saw him and passed by on the other side.
A Levite (a lot like the futility of trying to rescue ourselves by keeping the ten commandments) came and looked at him — and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan (who acted like Jesus does) came and saw him, had compassion on him, binding up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine (used as symbols to represent the Holy Spirit and joy and gladness). Then he put him on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The story of the good Samaritan is a parable. Jesus wanted to teach us something! Before we have spiritual life through faith in Jesus, we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1)). Religion and tradition can make us FEEL good, but they will never save us! The ten commandments will only condemn us and show us that we are sinners before God — there’s no salvation there! Only Jesus can take away our sins, giving us the Holy Spirit, joy and gladness.
Jesus Himself said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:2727And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. (Luke 10:27)). This is only possible to do if we repent of our sins before God and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.
The Vanishing Fishing Boat teaches excellent lessons from the story of another wonderful rescue.