July 15, 2001

July 15^th,2001
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church
Pastor Ole Amund Gillebo

This well known narrative about the "Good Samaritan" has as its background a real big question "What is it I am to do to become the possessor of eternal life?"

An expert in the law asked Jesus this significant question, this was meant to be a test question to discover Jesus’ doctrinal position: What does this man teach about salvation?

How is man put right to God? What is the path I have to walk to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

This is really an essential and fundamental question in human life.

Jesus himself answered that question in two different ways, in two contrary answers, they are as different as night and day.

In today’s Gospel we face one of them and I will concentrate on this one, and leave the other for now.

In his answer to the expert in the law Jesus refers to God’s commandments "You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with all your strength, and with your whole mind, and your neighbor as yourself.- Do this and you will live". The man said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Than Jesus told the parable of the "Good Samaritan" and at the end of the story he said to the teacher of the Law "You go, then, and do the same."

In other words Jesus said, "If you do this, if you keep God’s commandments, you will be saved."

This is really a challenging teaching of Jesus.

How can you put this into reality in your life?

You just have to go ahead and obey what God requires you to do!

You really have to start right away.

May I take a few minutes to look at the scene of the story.

The road from Jerusalem down to Jericho dropped 3600 feet in 20 miles. The path was narrow and rocky and with sudden turnings which made it easy for robbers and man-hunters. When Jesus told this story, he certainly refers to the kind of thing that was constantly happening in this area.

There is something to learn from the characters of the parable.

The traveler was obviously a foolish man. It was stupid to travel alone carrying valuables. Mostly people traveled in convoys. This man had no one but himself to blame for what did happen to him.

The priest was very busy and just passed by. He had some important appointments. Maybe he thought the man was dead, and he would not make himself unclean by touching a dead body. This was according to the regulations. He would not risk losing his position in the Temple at least for a while. He did put the ceremonial claims to be more important than charity. The worship service meant more to him than helping a dying fellow human being outside the Temple.

The Levite seems to have gone nearer to the man before he continued his journey. He tried to find out something more but his motto seemed to be, "Safety first". He would take no risk to help you never know something bad could happen to himself.

The Samaritan probably was an ethnic person from Samaria, but it also could happen to be a nickname for a Jew that was a breaker of the Jewish law. (Jesus himself was called a Samaritan for that reason, John 8:48. Maybe the Samaritan in the story is about Jesus himself?)

The Samaritan was a fine man. His heart was filled with pity. He poured oil and vine on the wounds, he carried him to the Inn and he did pay the innkeeper in advance and asked him to take care of the man. When I come back this way, I will pay whatever else you spend on him, the Samaritan said.

Maybe the Samaritan did not care much about doctrines and ceremonials but the love of God was in his heart. He was willing to take a risk .He was willing to spend his money. He alone was willing to help. It is a saying "Go the extra mile. It is never crowded".

What do we learn from this teaching of Jesus?

We must help people even when they have brought themselves in trouble. Their situation is a result of what they have done or not have done, it does not matter, we have to go and meet their needs.

Any person of any ethnic background and of any faith who is in need is our neighbor. Our help and care must be as wide as the love of God.

The help must be practical, consist in doing something, we have to take a risk, to spend money, to spend time, to offer food and clothing, just to express "I am sorry" is a shame and not according to God. The priest and the Levite for sure felt sorry for the wounded man, but they did nothing. Real compassion and love must be practical in action.

What Jesus said to the scribe, he says to us "Go you and do the same".

As for us at Mindekirken this means, Go to Phillips neighborhood! There are so many women, kids and so many men struggling for life out there. To go there is risky and we face many problems, but if we have God’s love in our hearts we will go and do something. The criminals, the drug dealers, the prostitutes, the alcoholics, the work less and homeless, what ever, they are in desperate need of change in their life.

Jesus once said something about giving a glass of water, giving clothing to the naked, food for the hungry, see people in prison, helping the sick, care and welcome the stranger. Truly I tell you, Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me. Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you. The ones who pleased God will have eternal life. Matt 25:32…

As members of Mindekirken we are asked to serve our neighbors out there. Are you willing?

"Go and do likewise"

"Love your neighbor as yourself"!

Amen.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716