May the mumbling commence!
How do we define neighbor? It is an important question. If we are to love God with all our being and love our neighbor as ourselves, it is important to know who are neighbors are. A law expert asked Jesus this question – “Who is my neighbor?” Read the parable that Jesus told in response to the question from Luke chapter ten:
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, 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, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins 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.'
"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." (Verses 30-37)
The people who heard Jesus knew that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was perilous. It would have been no surprise to them that a lone man would be attacked and robbed. The criminals even took his clothing. Today, we speak of identity theft. By taking his clothes, the criminals wiped cleanly away any indication of who the man was. The thieves left him for dead.
To reach out and help this man would be a risk. It could be a trap for a trusting and gullible traveler. The thieves could have been waiting in hiding for a do-gooder. This risk guided some of the pillars of the church to the other side of the road – a priest and a Levite. Perhaps, they thought they had too much to risk – too much to lose.
Then along came the Samaritan. Pity and compassion welled up in the Samaritan. Maybe he had once been broken and bleeding on the roadside. Whatever it was that moved the Samaritan, he helped him. The Samaritan treated and bandaged the wounds. The Samaritan took him to an innkeeper for care and paid for his keep. The Samaritan promised to return and pay all accounts to “paid in full”.
Then, Jesus aimed a question at his questioner. “Which of these three was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” When we think about whom our neighbor is, the definition is not dependent upon what they do for us. We define our neighbors by how we treat them. Are you willing to risk your comfort and your errand to help someone who is obviously in need of help? Jesus asks us to take this risk – “Go and do likewise.”
Yes, we are supposed to risk our possessions because they are not really ours to begin with. Why try and hold onto something that is impossible to hold on to? It is not even truly ours. By holding our things loosely, we gain the kingdom of heaven. Read a passage from Luke chapter twelve:
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Verses 32-34)
You and I cannot receive the kingdom of heaven if we are desperately clinging to our possessions. Let it go. Moths will eat our grandest clothes. Here in Kansas, I’ve seen numerous moths (or millers) lately. It almost seems to be at a plague-like level.
Let your possessions go. Define who your neighbor is by letting go. God will care for our eternal needs when we let go.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
No comments:
Post a Comment