July 15, 2007
|
|
|
|
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church Pr. Per Inge
Vik Isn’t the Good Samaritan Coming? When I was young, I once took part in performing this Bible text as a drama piece, a so-called ”Bible pantomime”. The title of the drama piece was Isn’t the Good Samaritan Coming? We were 5 people participating. There was the man that was travelling, then the two robbers that knocked him down, and finally a priest and a Levite. We all came forth, did our movements according to what the storyteller was reading: The story that we just listened to. In the middle of the text, the storyteller read: But a Samaritan while traveling came near him. Every-body was waiting. The storyteller looked up. Pause. Then he tried once more, but a Samaritan while traveling came near him. Nothing happened. What was this all about? Then he called out: Isn’t the good Samaritan coming? There ended the dramatic piece, and the question was hanging in the air. What happens to an environment, a society where there are no good Samaritans at work? There may be justice, there may be prosperity and material goods as much as possible, but without mercy and goodness, without beating hearts, human beings will freeze. There will always be a need that we be merciful to each other. I need it. You need it. The good Samaritan came, he saw, and he didn’t pass by. He bowed down. He lifted up. It is easy to forget the start of today’s Bible story: What must I do to inherit eternal life? the lawyer asked. This is a more fundamental question than how we treat each others as humans. When Jesus is asked how we can get eternal life, he points to fulfilling Gods law. We can certainly wonder about his answer. Doesn’t the Master’s answer come into conflict with the theology we have learned, that it is by grace we are saved, and not by acting according to the law? The answer is, that hidden in the story about the good Samaritan, Jesus has put in the story about himself. Jesus himself is our good Samaritan. Were it not for Jesus’ grace and goodness towards sinners, towards humans that every day fail in doing good, none of us would have come into the Kingdom of God. He is our Savior. He has eyes that see what we need. And when he saw him he was moved with pity. This and similar statements about the Master we often find in the gospels. And every time this is mentio-ned, Jesus acts. He helps, he heals, he forgives, he includes into the fellowship. Read the gospels in the NT, and you all the way will see this. There is an extra emphasis on this in the gospel of Luke. Jesus has extra care for those who are excluded from good society. The sick, the leppers that in addition to their disease were excluded from society. Furthermore, the tax collectors, who were considered the ”Quislings” of their age. They were cooperating with the Roman occupiers, and profited from it economically. The children also were a group with no status at the time of Jesus, but he lifted them up and forth. Then there were the Samaritans, the unclean mixed people with a dubious worship. While those who one could expect something good from, the pius ones, the priest and the Levite failed, Jesus here lifts up a Samaritan as the good example. This was very radical of the Master. In our time we could compare it with Jesus showing a Muslem as a good example for us Christians. We who believe in Jesus, are called to act as the good Samaritan did, and as Jesus does, to perform deeds of mercy. Then there is a detail I noticed towards the end of today’s story. We heard about the good Samaritan, that when he had taken the unlucky man to the inn, taken care of him, given him food and a bed, he then gave the innkeeper money, and guaranteed for the future. He left enough to live on until he himself returned. I think about Jesus, our good Samaritan. He has done the same for us. In the Bible and the sacraments, in bread and wine, Jesus has left nourishment for us, until he himself returns. In the bread and wine, in the body and blood of Jesus Christ we have forgiveness for our sins, and fellowship with him and each other. Nourishment for our life’s journey onward. Whom is Holy Communion for? It is for all those who are in need of the Good Samaritan. Grace, forgiveness of sins, fellowship. Do you feel a bit ”on the outside” when it comes to church and Christianity? Back in Norway I met people all the time who felt that way. Not ”good enough” to be full partakers in church. Then we have to think about for whom Jesus was searching. Whom he mingled with as he walked around on this earth. He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners, were the rumors about him. And he did nothing to hinder such rumors. It was the opposite. He said: Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. So many people are excluding themselves, thinking that they do not fit in. But exactly such people Jesus searched for, and included. Think about another parable Jesus told, about the prodigal son. Or the woman that was caught in fornification. Those bringing her heard Jesus saying: Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. Or think about Zaccheus, the rich, but despised tax collector up in the tree: I must stay at your house today, says the Master. Luke tells (19:6) that Zaccheus hurried down and was happy to welcome him. I will challenge you to follow your inner longing, and meet with the Master. He wants the best for you. The very best! His good news must be brought to all people, the message about the good Samaritan. Then he gives us a challenge. Go and do likewise, Jesus says to the lawyer who asked. That command still is valid for us. Deeds of love shall be done, they are to multiply. Charity should not stop with us. As the message of the Bible is received, good fruits grow in our daily life. The receiver of God’s goodness is to be a channel for this goodness, so that it spreads as much as possible. Those you have around you also need mercy. So the text for this Sunday will help prevent a dangerous self-delusion: The hope for grace for the ones that do not themselves perform grace. ”Isn’t the good Samaritan coming?” There are enough of those whom we can show grace towards. Either a beggar on the street here in the city, or a young person that spiritually is about to fall into the hands of robbers, or an elderly person sitting alone, needing us to spend some time and care. As I was preparing this sermon, I was put to the test. A person came to my door and was in need of money. I was happy and grateful that I had some treasure so I could help him in the midst of need. You who know the good Samaritan, Jesus, who has paid for an eternal future for you, you are to be a good Samaritan to those who need your care. You are to be ”A servant of God’s love” as it is expressed in a Norwegian hymn. ”God created us for love”. The last verse says ”This is the greatest honor that can be given on earth: to be God’s servant. That’s when one’s joy in life grows.” Glory be to the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit, who was, is and shall always be one true God from eternity to eternity. Amen |
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |