The Gospels for 28th July and 4th August 2014

I am away for a while. Herewith reflections for Sundays 4th August and 28th July (which you will find if you scroll down). 

God bless you as you reflect on the Gospels to share with your congregations.

Luke 12.13-34 (NRSV)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

¹³ Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ ¹⁴But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ ¹⁵And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ ¹⁶Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. ¹⁷And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?”¹⁸Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ²⁰But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” ²¹So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

My text this morning is written in Luke 12:21:

²¹So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

We live in a world which has got its priorities all wrong. And this is nothing new. People feel that if they have their health and enough money, they will have a wonderful life and all will be okay. This is evident in the fact that people tend to treat wealthy people with greater respect than others. People also tend to allow wealthy people to get away with being rude, brash and unpleasant because they are people who, in the opinion of the world, are special. This is even true of people who have done nothing and have simply inherited their wealth. Jesus, in today's lesson,  points out that to hold this view is to be foolish and to make this point tells the parable of the rich fool.

A man came to Jesus for aid in solving a family problem. This was a perfectly natural thing for the people of these times to do. Religious leaders were expected to be proficient in the Law of Moses, which dealt with matters in all areas of life. Jesus refused to act as the mediator in this situation because he knew that no answer that he gave would deal with the real problem. The two brothers were quarrelling about their inheritance because they had covetous hearts. As long as they remained greedy, there would be no settlement. They asked Jesus to serve them and what they needed was for Jesus to save them. Their hearts needed to be changed and the only way any person can be changed is through the power of God through coming to Jesus, and allowing him to fill their lives with his transforming love. Life is not made better or worse depending on what one owns or does not own. Jesus warns in verse 15: “... a person's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be.”

True life does not depend on money or possessions. All people have certain basic needs. It is ridiculous to think that we will be any richer if we acquire more and more of these material things. The fact of the matter is that possessions in no matter what quantity do very little, if anything to provide us with anything more than a mere existence. Material things do not last forever. We can take none of these things with us when we die. And none of us has any certainty when that will be. There are many people in the world today who will also testify that riches can disappear in a flash. The number of people who lose everything in a frighteningly short time is amazing. One day everything is wonderful materially speaking, the next day, there is nothing!

All too often I still find myself being overly concerned about the material things in life and I too still have much change needed in my life.

If our happiness is determined by the state of our bank balance or what we possess - we are in terrible trouble. What are we going to do if we lose everything - and losing everything can happen to any of us.

In the parable Jesus speaks of a rich fool. Indeed it is foolish to trust in riches. The rich man thought all the possessions belonged to him. Notice how many times in the passage he refers to ‘I’ and 'my' and in verses 16-20. But the point is that if a person is in love with what money can buy, they face the danger of losing the things that money cannot buy.

Many people, lured by riches reject God and his ways - for they are willing to sacrifice their souls through dishonesty and greed - in order to become rich. The Scriptures warn that there are many dangers associated with riches. In 1 Timothy 6:8-10 we read:

            ... if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in a trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.

Again in Matthew 13:22, Jesus warns in the parable of the sower:

            The seeds that fell among the thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message; but the worries about this life and the love of riches choke the message, and they don't bear fruit.

People who are self sufficient in material things and money feel that they can do without God and so they turn away from the word of God. But they are in danger - they can lose their souls for the sake of mere things that are temporary.

Jesus states that being truly rich has nothing to do with money or material wealth - but rather in being rich in God's eyes. How do we do this? In Matthew 6:33 Jesus states:

            ... be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.

Each person will know what real life is all about when they get their priorities right. The first thing we need to above everything else be concerned with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of us.

Do we have things in their proper perspective? Are we more concerned about our house on earth or are we making adequate preparations for our house in heaven? Are we trying to become well-known on earth or are we striving to make sure that our name is written in the book of life that is in heaven? Are we willing to face persecution, ridicule, scorn or even death for the sake of our Lord or are we more concerned with our reputation on earth? Are we sharing our faith with others, giving generously of our material blessing to the work of the church so that the Kingdom of God can be extended as others, or are we hoarding our money for ourselves and our families alone? Do we possess our possessions or do our possessions possess us? A useful way of telling is by asking ourselves the question? "What would happen if we were told that we were going to lose every material thing we owned?" It is okay to feel sad at the prospect but it really should not matter. The Scriptures provide us with the perspective we need. In Philippians 4:11 Paul writes:

            ... I have learnt to be satisfied with what I have. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learnt this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

Again, 1 Timothy 6: 6ff states:

            ... religion ... make[s] a person very rich, if he is satisfied with what he has. What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction.

When people have their perspective right, they are liberated from worry. Worrying is one of the most destructive things a person can do. As Corrie Ten Boom writes: “          Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow ... it empties today of its strength.”

It is the concern about material things that makes a person worry. Many, many people worry about, finances, health, shelter and all sorts of other temporary things. I know relatively few people who are worried about their souls and those of their loved ones. Many people know that their children are in a right relationship with God, but few really seem to be worried about this fact. But let a child be sick or in financial crisis - and people are beside themselves. This is a sign of a loss of perspective. People worry about making a living and Jesus tells us that we should be more concerned with making a life. The proper perspective is to be more occupied with our souls and minds than with our bodies. Are we doing what God wants us to do? It is when we fix our attention on the things of the world that we worry. When we get the proper perspective and fix our attention on the things of God that we are filled with peace. Paul writing to the Philippians explains (4.6-7):

            Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

God looks after birds, flowers and animals. How much more will he look after us who are his children?

We all have to work. The Scriptures are clear in stressing that laziness is never to be tolerated. People should also not be irresponsible in not making adequate provision for the future. The issue here is one of priority. As one commentator puts it: “He does not neglect the worldly duties of his station, but he regards them as of infinitely less importance than the requirements of God.”

The things of the world are important, but they are not as important as the soul. When one has the proper perspective then God gives us all the things we need. Where is our security - is it in Jesus Christ or is it in what we possess? Are we making a living or are you making a life? Are we worried, or do we know God's wonderful provision?

Seek first God's kingdom as your as your first and priority and you will know what it really means to enjoy life and that in all its fullness; if we do not, we miss out on what makes life really worth living – or as Jesus put it:

So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

Amen.

The Gospel for 28th July

Luke 11.1-13 (NRSV)

The Lord’s Prayer

11He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ ²He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
   Your kingdom come.
³   Give us each day our daily bread.
⁴   And forgive us our sins,
     for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
   And do not bring us to the time of trial.’

Perseverance in Prayer

5 And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;⁶for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.”⁷And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” ⁸I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

9 ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? ¹²Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? ¹³If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Prayer is central to the Christian life. We can do absolutely nothing unless we pray. Jesus was the Son of Almighty God and prayer was central in his life. As we reads Luke's gospel, we see how Jesus was a person of regular and disciplined prayer. He prayed at his baptism (3:21); he prayed before choosing his 12 apostles (6:12); he prayed when ministering to the crowds (5:16); he prayed before asking the 12 to confess their faith (9:18) and he prayed at the Transfiguration (9:29). If Jesus needed to have prayer at the focal point of his life on earth, how much more need we, weak sinful mortals, spend time in prayer.

The apostles knew that Jesus was special and was able to do great and marvellous things, because he prayed and so they asked him for his secret.

Firstly, Jesus said that we should always begin with praise, worship and giving honour to God. True and effective prayer is only possible for those who are in a position to call God their Father. It is only possible to call God Father, if we have become his children. And it is only possible to become a child of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul explains in Galatians 4:4:

... when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that me might become God's sons and daughters. (TEV)

Any person can recognise God as a Father, but only those who have received the gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ can come to God as their Father because when this happens, St Paul explains '... God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children'. Through Jesus Christ we have a family intimacy with God who is our Father.

As God's children, we pray that our Father's holy name may be honoured. A name in Hebrew culture stood for the entire nature, character and personality of the person. God's name is honoured therefore when his nature, character and purposes are known and honoured. When we pray that God's name will be honoured, we pledge ourselves to action where we study God's word, are enabled to discern his will for us, and we respond in faithfulness and obedience to what God is calling us to do.

We pray 'may your kingdom come.' God's kingdom is not an earthly kingdom; it is his reign in the hearts of people. When people are filled with the Spirit of God they change and become new creations. God desires all people to be saved. He desires all people to know peace in their hearts through the forgiveness of their sins. He desires people to know peace within themselves. God also wants all people to live at peace with each other. Jesus is the 'Prince of Peace' and his kingdom is the kingdom of peace. When Jesus rules in the hearts of people, the effects of this should be evident in society. Like the leaven in dough spreads throughout the whole loaf, when God's kingdom comes into the hearts of believes it spreads throughout the world.

When we pray the first thing we need to do is give God praise and glory through reverent worship. When we meditate on God and his word, things come into perspective and we will know better what we ought to ask for ourselves and more importantly for others. True prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven, but God's will done on earth. Prayer is not telling God what we want and then selfishly enjoy it, but rather asking God to use us to accomplish what he wants. This is how his name is honoured, his kingdom is established and extended and his will is achieved - as Matthew puts it 'on earth as it is in heaven'.

Within the perspective of worshipping God and knowing his word and will, we can bring our needs before him. We can come to him with our present needs, but note there is no place for greed. God allows us to bring our daily needs to him and he will meet them. The image of bread is significant and probably refers to God's provision of manna to the people in the desert. I am sure we all remember his instructions to the Israelites:

            Moses said to them, "This is the food that the Lord has given you to eat. The Lord has commanded that each of you is to gather as much of it as he needs ..." (Exodus 16)

While we know of the need to be responsible in making provision for our future, Christians should never be greedy. God blesses us with everything we need in accordance with his will, and we have no right to make selfish demands in our prayers.

When we pray we also pray about the past. The most significant aspect of the past for us is the need to be forgiven. God promises us that he will forgive us but we need to be open to receive this forgiveness. The way we open ourselves to receive this gift is through our willingness to forgive others. As one commentator puts it:

            To remain unforgiving shows we have not understood that we ourselves deeply need to be forgiven. Think of some people who have wronged you. Have you forgiven them? How can God deal with you if he treats you as you treat them?

We also pray about the future - '... and do not bring us to hard testing'. Christians desire more than anything else, the strength to be able to live as God intends them to live. They know that evil is always trying to lead them astray and so destroy the joy of the reality God's kingdom in their lives. Each day, we need therefore to seek God's protection.

Jesus illustrated his teaching on prayer by using two parables. The reluctant neighbour in verses 5-10 does not mean that God would ever be reluctant in giving us what we need. God is always desirous of answering our prayers, but he cannot do it lightly or cheaply in response to half-hearted desire on our part. God gives good things to many people, but his choicest blessings are reserved for those who will value them and prove that they will really appreciate them by asking until they receive. Christians are those who humbly persist in their prayers. If a tired and selfish neighbour eventually gives in and gives what is needed, how much more will our loving heavenly Father, who never gets tired or sleeps, who never gets impatient or irritable, who is always generous and who delights in blessing his children, give them all the things they need to make them happy and blessed and whole human beings. God also calls us to persist because he does not want us only to come to him with 'midnight emergencies', but to remain in constant communication with him. All too often people only pray when there is a particular emergency. This reminds me of a rather humorous story:

            Two men were being chased by an obviously evil‑intentioned bull.

            "What are we to do?" puffed one.

            "Can you pray?" Panted the other.

            "The only prayer I can remember is "For what we are about to receive..."

When we are regular in prayer, God will show us the way; God will reveal his will for us.

In prayer, God gives us everything we need because he gives us of himself - as verse 13 explains:

            Bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Being filled with the Spirit enables us to discern the mind of God as he provides us with everything we need. William Barclay concludes:

            If we do not receive what we pray for, it is not because God grudgingly refuses to give it but because he has some better thing for us. There is no such thing as unanswered prayer. The answer given may not be the answer we desired or expected; but even when t is a refusal it is the answer of the love and wisdom of God.

 Amen.

Luke 10.38-end (NRSV)

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

As usual there are many lessons to be learnt from this passage, but allow me to share just a few thoughts with you.

Firstly, we must be reminded that all people are precious, because God created us. Even though people are different, it is wonderful to realise the God knows us in our uniqueness and also loves us in our uniqueness. This truth is beautifully captured in Psalm 139 (1-6) where we read:

You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. You know when I am resting and when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. I can't understand all of this! Such knowledge is far above me.

The Psalmist reminds us of the fact that God knows each individual intimately and personally and that he cares about us.

However, it is only when a person knows the reality of forgiveness that they can also know the peace that controls the way we think and feel. This is why commitment to Christ by faith is so important, because it makes real for us, the love of God in Jesus our Lord as we experience this in reality by the Spirit.

Even though we are all so very different, the fact remains that each one of us is special. You are special. Jesus died for all of us and therefore died also for you. Do you know this? More importantly, is this real in your life or is it just a truth that you understand? Do you know the intimacy with God that the Psalmist wrote about, or does God seem to you to be a distant other-worldly creature separate from your reality?

Just as all people are precious this passage also reminds us secondly that, we should accept all other people, even though they might be very different from us.

Some people are naturally very active while others are naturally quiet. A problem occurs when an active person does not understand a quiet person and vica versa. So often, very active people frown upon those who are quiet and reserved, calling them lazy or other offensive adjectives. The same is often true of the person who is devoted to quiet times and meditation. These people might accuse active people of being shallow and also offend them with unfair judgement.

Mary and Martha provide wonderful examples. Both of them were committed to our Lord, both honoured Jesus, both loved him, but it would be difficult to find two people who were more different. Martha was very active; it appears, also impulsive, not shy to speak her mind. Mary on the other hand, was quiet and thought a great deal before she said anything. When Jesus came to their home, Martha rejoiced to see him and set about making the best possible preparations for his visit. Mary was also delighted that Jesus was coming to see them, but her first thought was for the time she could spend with him, listening to him and learning from him. The one was not totally right and the other totally wrong - they were only different.

The same truth prevails today. We must never expect all Christians to be exactly the same, because they never will be. We must also never judge others just because they are different or because they do things differently. In addition the Scriptures add that we should never be critical of those who differ from us. James writes:

My friends, don't say cruel things about others! If you do, or if you condemn others, you are condemning God's Law. And if you condemn God's Law, you put yourself above the Law and refuse to obey it or God who gave it. God is our judge, and he can save or destroy us. What right do you have to condemn anyone? (11-12 CEV)

Jesus, you will remember, summarised the Law as loving God and our neighbour as we love ourselves. Paul said that in loving our neighbours, we completely satisfy the requirements of the Law. When we fail to love others, we are actually sinning because we are breaking God's Law. One of the commentators writes:

When you're ready to criticise someone, remember God's Law of love and say something good instead. Saying something beneficial to others will cure you of finding fault and increase your ability to obey God's law of love. (Life Application Bible)

Even if you believe a person is sinning, Jesus warns that we need to employ caution. Remember our Lord's teaching in Matthew 7:

You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye. How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don't see the log in your own eye? You're nothing but showoffs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friends eye. (3-5 CEV)

The fact is that people are different and they always will be. But being different does not mean that those who are different are wrong. If a person has repented of their sin and given their life to the Lord and are striving to serve him faithfully, we have no right to judge them or even criticise them.

Thirdly, when we feel inclined to be critical of others, it is usually because we have not been spending enough time with our Lord. Martha had become excessively occupied with unimportant earthly matters, to the detriment of her soul. So often we too become ensnared by the cares of the world that our spiritual life takes second place, or is even forgotten. How many of us do not have time for prayer, worship, Bible study or Christian service? Many people are only prepared to give one hour each week - and sometimes this is only out of a sense of duty. It seems strange when one compares the amount of time people have for television, sport or other recreation, but they seldom have time for the Church and the things of the Lord.

Martha's problem was not that she was different to Mary, but that she allowed herself to become so entrapped into what she thought was the right thing to do. She became unnecessarily critical of Mary whom she automatically thought was wrong because she saw things differently. So Martha blurted out, thoughtlessly:

"Lord, doesn't it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!" (40b CEV)

Many of us, as we read this passage find ourselves sympathising with Martha. But, what seems logically and reasonably wrong in others, to us, is not necessarily true. This should teach us to employ caution. To Martha, Mary was obviously in the wrong, but in essence, Martha was the one who needed guidance and direction and so Jesus gently corrected her.

Lastly, notice how important it is to place the nurture of our souls as the first priority in our lives. Jesus said:

"Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things ..."

Martha was overly preoccupied with the things of this world, that she was able to think clearly and discern spiritual truth. She had neglected what was really important - being with Jesus and learning from Him. If we do not spend enough time with the Lord, we too will experience the same problem.

People who are critical of others have very often fallen into the trap because they are in a spiritual desert, having allowed worldly matters to keep them from the nurture of their souls. Husbands and wives tend to be at each other's throats, there is disruption between parents and children, friendships are smashed and people become polarised - believing that they are right and not even able to concede that the other person has a valid point of view.

It might have come as quite a shock to Martha when she understood, as a result of our Lord's gentle rebuke, that in this particular instance, Mary was doing the right thing and that Martha was the one in the wrong because she was thoughtlessly critical of Mary.

It is necessary is for us to realise that our lives are not merely physical and mental, but also spiritual. To neglect the spiritual dimension of our lives is to court disaster. Mary realised that she needed to spend time with Jesus and so was calm and composed and had things in perspective. When we spend time with Jesus, daily sitting at his feat, listening to what He has to say to us from His Word, bringing ourselves and others to him in prayer, that we too will have a sense of balance return to our lives.

To sum this all up: Let us never forget that even though we are different people, God cares for us. He knows us intimately and he loves us deeply. In the same way that God loves us, so too, should we love one another. We need to accept each other even though we are different. We should not insist that people do things our way. Let us banish criticism from our lifestyles and nurture and encourage each other in love. If we are struggling with this, it is most likely because we are not spending enough time with the Lord. It is only when we are found sitting at his feet, daily, that the balance of true peace between ourselves God and others can become real in our lives.

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10.25-37 (NRSV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ²⁶He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ ²⁷He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’²⁸And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ ³⁰Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³²So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” ³⁶Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ ³⁷He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Dear reader,

I realise that some of what I reflect on this week might be considered controversial, for some years ago, I too would have thought this way if I were to have read this then. Please feel free to enter into discussion with me (and with others) on this important parable. It seems to me to be true that, as Dr Tom Wright suggests, the most familiar can sometimes be the most difficult to learn from, unless we are open to see things differently. For me, this parable has been the most familiar of all, and it has also been the one that has opened my eyes to the breadth and depth of the love of God in Jesus Christ and his Gospel.

As we saw last Sunday, the Apostles and the 70 disciples had experienced many wonderful things happening as they had ministered in Jesus' name. Now they needed to be taken yet a step further in their understanding. In his conversation with the Jewish lawyer in this lesson, Jesus explained the link between the ethics of law and the ethics of love. The lawyer asked Jesus the important question:

‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

Jesus answered by putting a question to the lawyer who answered it perfectly. Verses 26-28 record:

²⁶He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ ²⁷He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’²⁸And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

I used to believe that the point is that neither the lawyer, nor any other human being has ever been able to keep God's law. In a sense this is true, but I now think that God does appreciate our efforts – inadequate though they might seem – and loves the fact that we do what we can. I also believe that he fills us with his Spirit and so enables us to grow in our love for others and that this is revealed by the good that we do. I also believed that there is no doubting the lawyer's knowledge of the Scriptures and their meaning and that even such excellent knowledge can do nothing to save a person. But experience has made me modify my ideas, especially as I have experienced the love of God from what I would have considered in the past to be the most surprising of sources – which to me - is exactly what I believe Jesus is trying to point out in this parable.

I used to believe that only those who had made a decision for Jesus, through repentance and faith were the ‘saved’ and unless a person accepts Jesus into their life by faith, they are going to a lost eternity. I also used to believe that there was a distinction between ethically good people and the ‘saved’ and that because we are justified by faith – apart from the works of the law – even these good living people are lost – unless they are able to express a faith in Christ.

I have come to realise that there are some people who think that because they believe all the right things, all is well with them before God. Yet, sometimes, their behaviour does not match up. From some people who claim to have correct doctrine, I have experienced judgmental behaviour, bigotry and prejudice, even leading to terrible incidents of discrimination. This was especially true in South Africa where I was born and educated. Of course the opposite is also true, where people who have espoused ‘correct’ doctrine, have also led lives that even better articulate what they believe by their actions rather than by their words. But it has also been my experience that some people of other faiths or indeed no faith at all, can be deeply caring, loving and all in a selfless way – even better than many Christians. I also know from Matthew 25 that when we are eventually judged, what we have believed will not even come into the question. What matters is how we have lived: have we fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked ... etc.?

I now believe that the love and forgiveness of Jesus is vast and is experienced by all who respond to other people as they try to love them as best they know how. I still believe that the ‘saved’ are not those who are trying to be good so that they can earn their just rewards. But I believe that the evidence of the love of God expressed through people’s selfless actions of love towards others is evidence that they have taken the step of faith, knowing that living this way is the right way – and simply that – and even if they do not know this or express this using theological language, or can be sure of this, it is this love that gives expression to their saving faith. I am now with Karl Rahner who suggested that goodness is a sign of salvation, even if the ‘good’ person does not know this – what he referred to as anonymous Christians.

The lawyer in this parable had all the right theology and doctrine and could not be faulted on any of these points; but he had also got things completely wrong.

My Samaritans have come in the form of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims and even some atheists – all lovely gracious people - who have loved and cared for me in an unconditional way – giving me the evidence that they are disciples of Jesus – even if they do not know this as a fine point of doctrine. Recently I have discovered that many of these people of other faiths do indeed consider themselves disciples of Jesus with Hindus seeing Jesus as an incarnation, Muslims who revere Jesus and his teachings as from one of the greatest prophets. Yes, I would go much further than both as I see Jesus as the incarnation and that he is greater than all prophets, but I also believe that this parable is talking in radical terms suggesting that who is and who is not saved is God’s business, not mine! Making a Samaritan the hero, would have been radical of Jesus and I believe he is challenging us to radical love.

I believe our Lord is challenging us to ask: Who are our Samaritans? – as well as - who are our neighbours? As well as - who do we need to care for? And the answer appears to be – all people without exception.

The lawyer tried to avoid the discomfort he must have felt by asking another question. Verse 29 records:

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ 

Warren Wiersbe comments:

The scribe gave the right answer, but he would not apply it personally to himself and admit his own lack of love for both God and his neighbour. So, instead of being justified by throwing himself on the mercy of God ..., he tried to justify himself and wriggle out of his predicament. He used the old debating tactic, "Define your terms! What do you mean by 'neighbour'? Who is my neighbour?"

Jesus did not answer this question directly, but told a story.

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho is about 27 km long. It was wild country and a place where people were often robbed. It was obviously unwise for anybody to travel this road alone. The victim was badly injured and is described as being 'half dead'.

A priest came by while the man was lying there. As the man was 'half dead', the priest might well have thought that he was in fact dead. If he touched a dead man the priest would become ceremonially unclean. To him therefore, religious ceremony was more important than human need. He did more than not help; he deliberately avoided any contact and went by on the other side. A Levite also came along, but he too, thought it better not to get involved and so he passed by on the other side.

Both these men, because of their profession or office ought to have been willing to do good to one in distress, but they were both too selfish. They might well have reasoned with themselves e.g. they did not know the wounded man, he might have got into trouble because he had been irresponsible and so it was his own fault, their time was limited or any number of excuses that all people are so adept at making. J C Ryle explains further:

We have in this a striking description, an exact picture of what is continually going on in the world. Selfishness is the leading characteristic of the great majority of [humankind]. That cheap charity that costs nothing more than a trifling subscription or contribution is common enough. But that self-sacrificing kindness of heart, which cares not what trouble is entailed, while good can be done, is a grace that is rarely met with.

Jesus' audience would have expected the priest and Levite to be followed by an Israelite lay member. They would almost certainly have expected a story with an anti Jewish religious twist. The religious leaders' opposition to Jesus was obvious to all and Jesus was often scathing in his response to them.  But, in view of the traditional bitterness between Jews and Samaritans, a Samaritan was probably the least expected person to be introduced. When they first heard mention of a Samaritan, they might even have thought that Jesus was bringing the robber out into the open. The Jews hated the Samaritans for many reasons, not least because they were racially mixed. Jesus showed them that what is important is not one's race, language or culture – and now my experience would even suggest ‘religion’ – because Samaritans were believed to be false in their beliefs - but what is in one's heart.

The Samaritan did the best he could there and then to make the man feel more comfortable. He cleaned the wounds with wine - the alcohol acting as a disinfectant. He then soothed the man's pain with oil. He also put the man on his donkey and travelled to the nearest inn. Most people, if they ever got this far in helping another person, would feel that they had fulfilled their responsibility; but not the Samaritan. He made further provision for the man, leaving money and promising more if necessary when he returned. In essence, the Samaritan was providing the man with about two months board and lodging. He saw what the man needed and did more than required to meet these needs.  He was able to help and so he went the extra mile and did everything and more for him.

This is the sort of behaviour that all Christians should be involved in. We should be ready to show kindness and love to everyone who is in need. We should not only care for our families, friends and relations or only those in the church. We do not need to get depressed because we cannot do everything possible for all those in need. Like the Samaritan, let us be found faithful in giving to those who come across our path. Let us not try to side-step them, but gladly minister to their every need as he was able.

In this story we see a summary of the different ways people deal with need in the world. The lawyer treated the wounded man as a topic for discussion; the thieves treated him as an object to exploit for their own gain. The priest saw him as a problem to avoid and the Levite as an object of curiosity. 'Only the Samaritan treated him as a person to love'. The commentator in the Life Application Bible concludes:

From the parable we learn three principles about loving our neighbour: (1) lack of love is often easy to justify, although it is never right; (2) our neighbour is any one of any race or creed or social background who is in need. (3) Wherever you live, there are needy people close by. There is no good rationale for refusing to help.

Jesus turned to the lawyer and asked:

... "Which one of these people was a real neighbour to the man who was beaten up by the robbers?" The teacher answered, "The one who showed pity." Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

Jesus revealed to the lawyer that even though he might have thought that he had been obedient to the law - he had not.

Ben Squires, in his book Walking Into Enemy Territory with a Wounded Man on Your Horse (see www.sermons.com) gives the following example that explains the parable in modern terms:

Biblical scholar Kenneth Bailey paints the picture of what it meant for the Good Samaritan to take the wounded man on his own donkey, ride into town, put him up at the inn, and care for him. There’s an unwritten shock in the parable of Jesus, a shock only heard by people living in the context of the story, a shock lost on us, but when Bailey changes the location and races of the characters, we today might have a better sense of the impact Jesus meant to have with this parable.

Bailey writes that the Good Samaritan is like “a Plains Indian in 1875 walking into Dodge City with a scalped cowboy on his horse, checking into a room over the local saloon, and staying the night to take care of him. Any Indian so brave would be fortunate to get out of the city alive even if he had saved the cowboy’s life.”

I have no doubt that salvation comes to the world in Jesus of Nazareth, who through his death and resurrection revealed that he was God’s Messiah, the Christ. But I believe this parable gives us a wake-up call to be open to those of other faiths and none who have obviously received the love of God into their lives because of the way that the fruits of the Spirit are revealed in their lives. I believe this is expressed in the opening words of Peter’s sermon when he met with Cornelius as recorded in Acts 10:34-5:

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

               

The mission to the 70

Luke 10.1-20 (NRSV)

The Mission of the Seventy

 

10After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ²He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. ³Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” ⁶And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. ⁷Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” ¹⁰But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹“Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” ¹²I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

16 ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ ¹⁸He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. ¹⁹See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. ²⁰Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

 

 

We are reminded in verse 1 that many people had been following Jesus than merely the 12 Apostles, in fact he commissioned 70 other disciples to go into towns where he was intending to teach, and prepare the way for him. There is some significance in the number 70. Miller (p. 102) explains:

The Jews considered 70 to be the number of the Gentile nations. Although Jesus' work was largely confined to the Jews (Matt 15:24), there are clear indications that, quickened by the Old Testament promises ..., he intended his followers to take the gospel to all [people].

 

It is also not impossible that there is some significance in the number 72 - the number used in some translations. Morris (p. 181) explains:

 "Others, however, associate the number with that of the elders appointed by Moses ... seventy two with the two who remained in the camp. They see Jesus as the second Moses. ... Whatever the truth behind these conjectures, Jesus sent the disciples ahead of Him in pairs. Such as large group of forerunners shows that He had a busy itinerary ahead of him."

 

These disciples were sent ahead of Jesus, like ambassadors going before him to prepare the way for his coming in the future. What a privilege this must have been for them and what a privilege it is for us. Paul explains in 2 Corinthians that modern Christians are also required to be ambassadors for Christ - going out before his second coming - when he will judge the whole world. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

 

We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. (CEV)

 

Verse 2 tells us that the work that lies before us is not going to be easy. In fact there is a great deal of work to do and too few workers to do it. Each and every Christian needs to be involved in the process of harvesting for the Lord. While it is true that not every Christian can leave secular employment and enter the mission field, this does not mean that they have no responsibility. Every Christian needs to pray as Jesus says in verse 2: 'Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in'. I wonder how many of us make a deliberate and conscious effort to pray that the Lord would send people to spread His truth about salvation and the Kingdom of God to the world?

 

Verse 3 explains that the calling to be a harvester for the Lord is dangerous - as Jesus said:

 ... remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves.

 God's servants are always at the mercy of the world and, like lambs, they do not have the strength required in order to survive. In fact, they cannot hope to cope with the task they have been called to in their own strength. They need to look to God to equip them for what lies ahead. And so in verse 4 Jesus continues:

 

Don't take along a moneybag or a travelling bag or sandals. And don't waste time greeting people on the road.

 

The only way one can fulfil what God intends for us is through discipline and faith. There was also a great deal of urgency. Miller (p. 102) writes:

... the Lord did not want them to be overburdened with extra supplies or be delayed on the road by elaborate Eastern greetings. They had to trust God to provide homes and food for them, and they were not to be embarrassed to accept hospitality. In contrast with the Zealots who were spreading a message of revolution in the region, the disciples of Jesus were spreading a message about peace.

 If the people rejected their message, the disciples were to leave. Jesus said:

If the people living there are peace-loving, your prayer for peace will bless them. But if they are not peace-loving, your prayer will return to you.

 Morris (p. 182) explains:

 "This is figurative language which assures the disciples that they will not be trying to convey a blessing to someone who does not wish to receive it."

 This is a sad truth. Many people even today, reject the peace of God offered to them through our Lord Jesus Christ. If people refuse to receive it, we too should not belabour the point - but move on.

Jesus continued by stating that the ambassadors should not be embarrassed to receive accommodation and food and their other material requirements from the people. We read in verse 7 he states: '... workers are worth what they earn'. This is a difficult verse for me to comment on because it has direct bearing upon my circumstances. Perhaps, therefore, I should shelve my opinions and allow the commentator in the Life Application Bible (p. 1772) to comment:

 "Ministers of the gospel deserve to be supported, and it is our responsibility to make sure that they have what they need. ... First, see that they have an adequate salary. Second, see that they are supported emotionally; plan a time to express appreciation for something they have done. Third, lift their spirits with encouraging surprises from time to time. Our ministers deserve to know we are giving to them cheerfully and generously."

 Jesus adds that his ambassadors should not actively seek material comfort and prosperity - in his words 'Don't move around from house to house'. If ministers are being looked after they should not need to go searching for anything better. Once again there should be the balance; sufficient giving and gracious contentment. Miller (p. 103) puts this teaching in a nutshell. He writes: " They are worthy of their keep, but should be content with whatever they were given."

From verse 17 we encounter the disciples returning from their mission. Verse 17 captures their mood. The verse reads: "The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!"

 

These last verses are filled with typical metaphorical hyperbole. Of course there are things that hurt us, and we need to be careful, but I believe our Lord is saying here is that we need to get our priorities right. It is all too easy for people to make excuses for not being obedient to what God is calling them to do. These disciples had enjoyed tremendous results. They had discovered that ministry in Jesus' name and authority was successful. They had been given the power and might to heal, cast out demons and preach the Word of God and in all these areas they had been successful. And we too will discover the same joy and encouragement when we respond in obedience to what God is calling us to do.

 

To the average observer, all that they would have seen happen would have been a few preachers who had spoken in a few small towns and healed a few sick people. Jesus was obviously speaking figuratively here. There is absolutely no reason to believe that he was saying that the disciples would be immune from actual snakes and scorpions.

 

These disciples had enjoyed a wonderful privilege. They had the opportunity to see the Son of God in action. For many months they had taken him for granted. They had not really listened to his teachings, nor had they been obedient. We today are in an even more privileged position. We have the entire Bible, the complete revelation of God to humankind, as well as over 2 000 years of church history ‑ all of which tell of the truth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. Yet we too take this for granted. Let us remedy this today by firstly living victorious lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us stop trying to live in our own strength and begin relying on Christ. The fact is that we can be victorious when we live in Jesus' name, when we pray in Jesus' name and when we do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let us also make sure that we have all responded to the call of Christ. Are we those who hear his message, obey it and put it into action? If so, our names are recorded in the book of life.