The St. Louis

The St. Louis

Walking through the exhibit of the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC last week, I came to the story that year after year seems to affect me the most. It's the story of the St. Louis, a passenger boat that left Europe in 1939 with 930 Jewish emmigrants headed to Cuba. The mood on the ship was excitement mixed with relief as the passengers were escaping the persecution of Jews that was sweeping through Europe, led by the Nazis in Germany. Cuba had granted entry permits to these men, women and children and they were filled with hope as they departed from Europe.

When Cuba refused to let the ship dock and allow entry, that hope was quickly dashed. The St. Louis headed north. And here is the part of the story that bothers me so much. When the St. Louis reached the shores of the United States, within eyesight of Miami, Coast Guard vessels patroled the waters to make sure no one jumped off to try to swim to shore and to freedom. After the United States refused to allow the ship to make port, it was forced to return to Europe with the majority of those passengers later dying in the Holocaust.

What continues to bother me is that our nation didn't choose to show compassion. I John 3:18 tells us "not to love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth". Clearly America couldn't have prevented the holocaust. And these 930 inidivuals represented less than 1/10 of 1% of the 6 million who died in the holocaust. But we could have done something. And therein is the lesson for us to live out today. We may not be able to do much but each of us can do something. The Good Samaritan only rescued one person but it's recorded for everyone to read and have as an example. Why? Because the Lord wants us to realize that every person matters to Him and should matter to us.

Be committed to showing compassion, to caring for others, like the Good Samaritan. Be committed to making a difference, no matter how small it might seem to you. Be the person who doesn't pass by on the other side of the road but who stops and shows the love of Christ to someone in need.

God Bless
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church