It Is Not All The Laws And Rules That Count!

               Part one of two

 "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 neighbor as yourself." 

The lawyer stood arrogant before the “unauthorized teacher.”  This man was well educated in Old Testament Law.  He was authorized to judge what, and who, was right or wrong in God’s sight. His question was asked to put Jesus in his place.  To belittle him in front of his followers. However, he had a short-sighted understanding of the situation!  What he didn’t know was that this presumably “unauthorized teacher” is the God who is the Law. 

I always find myself wondering, when I read this story, why didn’t Jesus just tell the lawyer:  All you need faith! Faith in what you so passionately defend!  What you say you have faith in!

Why did he tell him a parable?

Could it be that simply believing is really not enough?  

Or, Could it be that belief and faith had, for much too long, been distorted by the idea of privilege?  That is, a belief distorted by an attitude of unfounded status???  Being God’s “chosen?”  Thus somehow superior, above doing?

Could it be that the parable was told in order to make clear that eternal life was not a “given.”  Not a given, that is, for those who had for years been living in God’s grace.  Testing God’s patience and continually experiencing God’s forgiving mercy?

Maybe the parable was told to help the lawyer, and those like him, to realize that following all the laws, and rules, and cultural rituals and traditions was not going to be enough to “Inherit Eternal life.”

Quite possibly it was Jesus’ way of taking all the Jewish rules, and rituals, one step further!  To the law of love as the number one priority!  

Because, you see, the Hebrew people kept missing that one crucial point!  That is, turning to God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind. 

The Commandment of the LORD, from beginning to end, is so absolutely clear!  

“It is very near you; it is in your mouth and it is written on you heart for you to observe.(Deut. 30:14)

Always has been!  Always will be!   

The command is to “care for!”  Take care of all that is created by the hand of God.  That is, lead lives that demonstrate God’s love, mercy, kindness, compassion and yes, God’s gracious acceptance.

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

And Jesus tells a parable!

He uses the parable because he saw right through the Lawyer’s question!

The story goes this way!  A man, was walking along, a deserted road, between Jerusalem and Jericho. The man had been robbed, beaten and left to die. 

Jesus cleverly puts the lawyer into the story; by talking about how two of his, would be, colleagues responded to the injured man.  One was a Jewish Priest.  The other, considered a holy man, who worked in the temple.  They came upon the injured man at different times.  However their reaction to the man was the same.  In order to avoid him the “crossed to the other side” of the road.  Leaving him to die!

Then Jesus brings into the story a most despicable, most hated character.  A Samaritan, of all people!  A man who, according to the lawyers religion, is virtually considered a non-person!  A person who in-no-way should be even traveling on this road.  Right smack in the middle of the lawyer’s holy turf.  Yet, Jesus makes him the hero of the story.  The one who took care of the injured man.  And found him a place to stay until he could heal.  

At this point, Jesus says to the all-too-sure lawyer: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor?”  

“The one who showed him mercy.”  The lawyer replied.

The facts are, the Samaritans and the Jew’s did not play nice on the playground of life!  

They in no way considered the other “a neighbor!”  

This is, an extremely pointed, story about something much more then being neighbors!  This story hits the proverbial nail right smack on the head!  On dead center!  It is what Jesus taught all the way through his three years of ministry. And he was driving the nail in as deep as it could go! As he ended his contest with the lawyer of the Law.  When he said, “Go and do likewise!”  Go and do as your enemy did!

This little parable tells us what it truly means, to know what it is like, to be loved the way Jesus loved. Jesus loves!  That is, when we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  The injured man got that kind of love from his supposed enemy.

You see, if the injured man was a Jew (We are not really clear about that fact) then he was receiving from someone he consider despicable!  An enemy, by all cultural rules.  The kind of love that his two Jewish brothers did not offer.

The Samaritan treated his enemy the way he hoped that he would be treated if he would have been the one dying on that deserted road.

That is the meat and meaning of this not so simple parable!

The lawyer knew!  He knew that Jesus was not talking about any law, or ritual, or cultural norm here.  His Jewish laws didn’t cover this kind of love.  Nor, did it cover, his limited imagination of what Jesus meant by “neighbor.”

25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" 27 He 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 neighbor as yourself." 28 And 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 neighbor?" 30 Jesus 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. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He 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. 35 The 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.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.”(Luke 10)

"Living Our Questions Into Answers!"

1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

The message this morning, is Jesus’ request that his disciples, to do some of the ministry they had been learning from him.  The message they were to bring was: The Kingdom of God is near you!  The Kingdom God is presence in your midst!  

That is the same message we are requested to live out, in our  lives everyday ordinary selves.  

That message is more urgent today then in was when Jesus taught his first twelve disciples.  

The instructions are: Take nothing but the clothes on you back.  Nothing else!  No wallet or purse!  No extra coat!  Just the love of Jesus!  Just the peace and grace of God.   That is, “The good news” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

The glitch is that we will be at the mercy of those we meet for their hospitality.  It is totally a mission of peace and poverty.  That means being needy ourselves!  Spreading the word of God as provided by Jesus.

It is to be simple, non-intrusive, non-confrontational! Nor demanding!  All we have to do is just go!  Go with nothing but the Gospel!  Unprepared for everything, and anything, that comes at us.  Like lambs amidst the wolves. 

If people accept you fine!

If they don’t, simply walk away!

Go on to the next encounter, with the next stranger or friend, waiting for a listening ear.  One that will welcome God’s word.

That is it!  Just bring the peace filled, loving presence of God where ever you go.

End of instructions!

How would that work in todays fear infested culture?  Where strangers are to be handled with caution and even suspicion.  Instead of a possible angel — messenger of God?  In a society where doors are locked even to neighbors.  And dinner tables are shared only with family and close friends. In a culture where the Gospel is very seldom heard aloud, except on the Television or radio. Or, inside the walls of a church building, where there are more and more empty pews rather than full ones.  

In today’s world the image of the “Institutional  Church's” reputation has a tarnish, to say the very least.  Its image has been throughly soiled by all too many abuses.  And I am not just talking about sexual misuse and abuse.

So, how is the precious message of God’s peace, love and generous grace — the Gospel of Jesus Christ — to be spread in our tightly woven circles of exclusion, doubt, mistrust and skepticism?

Now, let me be very clear!  I am in no way standing in judgment!  I am quiet aware of the cultural conditioning that has been done to this Gospel of peace and love.  As a matter of fact, I am an empathizer to the skepticism and questions and struggles of those who doubt and wonder.

In all truth!  I am in total agreement with them, in most cases. Because the Institutional Church is guilty of creating a huge disfavor, a huge question mark, in the past, to those who have come into the doors to find God’s truth. God’s love!  They have found, instead, quite the opposite of God's peace and love, that people of faith, claim to believe in.   

What these visitors observe, and listen to, has created the many questions; and yes  some doubt between what they hear and what they observe.  

The facts, about the damage the institutional church that  through the years created, are not a secret.  It is well documented in both world and national statical studies and polls. I will not even attempt to do justice to these studies in a blog.

However, I bring this issue up because it is a conversation that, all believer in the love and grace of Jesus,  would be wise to enter into.  I encourage such conversation!

Because!  It is our problem to grapple with.

Because! This extremely sad situation faces us all.  

And I am not just talking about “we the clergy!”

It is about all believers as we attempt, in our own shy and ordinary way, to offer the presence of the kingdom of God.  That is to offer any and all people the love, grace, forgiveness and peace of God!  In the environment we live in today. 

And yet, Jesus sends us out to live and speak and act his gentle way!  Everyday!

The big question is, how do we share Jesus’ love and peace with those who now doubt our integrity?

Because!  The truth is, the people who question our faith, and our belief systems, have NOT stopped searching for meaning in God’s promises.  

They have NOT stopped believing in God!

They have NOT stopped wondering about “what it says in the Bible.”

Their curiosity has not died!  Nor is it dormant!  

All you have to do is go to google, on your computer, and google God.  Then just count the number of “hits” God gets each day.  

You would be amazed!

Don’t you think that it would be an extremely more affective way, if they could find the information, they search for, in you and I! 

Can't you imagine how impressive it would be for them to see, in us, the gracious presence of God’s peace and love, in us!  Living, in us, God’s nearness right here!  Right now!  

Being for them a place that offers hope!

Being a place that offers a space of grace.  A space of grace where they are welcome — indeed encouraged —  to voice their questions, doubts and wonders.

Encouraged, by you and me, to open up the discussion with civil conversation.  Willing to join them by admitting:  “I don’t really know either!”  “Let’s find out together!”

When we are willing to do that!  Offer an open space of grace where faith can grow into just tiny-bits-of-understanding.  Understanding that sparks the fire of faith. 

With the truth that faith is just that!  Not really knowing for sure!  

The willingness to walk, with them, without all the facts!  And still know, deep inside of themselves, that God is! That God is Good! That God is understanding of our inability to grasp the whole truth!  That God accepts us where we are!

That would be the best gift we could ever give them!

I will leave you this morning with Henri Nouwen’s thoughts, about questioning, and wondering about faith: 

“Just be willing to live the question into answers.”

That is the very least we could do!  The very least!

1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. 5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." 6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. 7 Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. 9 Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he tried to see him. 10 On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. (Luke 9)

Lets Talk About Freedom!

For freedom Christ has set us free.…

This morning I am going to attempt to unwrap, the Apostle Paul’s talk about, "the flesh.”  I have come to understand that this issue is a point of some confusion for most.  As a matter of fact, most full-blooded humans bulk at Paul’s thoughts on the subject. 

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

Then, after writing about some of the things we are not to do. He writes these qualifying words: 

I am warning you…those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 

So now, you finish reading all of Paul’s words.  And then sit there and wonder:  

 

I am “free!   But I am to be a “slave!”

I am “led by the Spirit.”  So, “not subject to the law?”

But!  But, if I do certain things I will not be part of God’s people??????

How are we suppose to understand such conflicting verbiage?   How is this “freedom?”

The problem that seem to get muddy is: That we are to “live by the Spirit” and “not gratify the desire of the flesh.” 

Right!  

And how in the world do we do that?  If the prompting of the flesh cause us to do something non-spiritual.  Like earthly things!  Then are we doomed?

I mean, is this the same Paul who boldly proclaims that we “are saved by grace through faith alone?”  Are we free to be by faith alone!  Or! Or is there a catch?  A small print section in the new-covenant, between God and his children?

I bring this up because, 1. It says so “in the Bible!” And 2.  Because we are a nation that celebrates our freedom with close personal attention.   

And,as a nation, we even have a holiday where the entire nation parties, in celebration, of our God given freedom. It is a time when people in every town, city and state stops!  Stops to celebrate our most precious possession.  Freedom!   Backyards are full of friends and family!   Barbecues are in the ready to cook hotdogs and hamburgers.  Parks and lakefronts boom with fireworks and big bands. There are parades moving down the main street in most towns.  Some people still have egg-throwing, or watermelon-seed spiting, contests.

It is a huge deal!  Huge!  

To be an American is surely something to celebrate big time.  

However have we ever stopped to truly reflect on what this freedom, we celebrate, is all about?  Or, is it just the Birthday of our nation?  A reason for an extra day of?  An excuse for giving a party!   Or is it just one of those things we have been given?  And, except for that one week-end in the year, we take it for granted?  

What are we free from? 

Or what are we free for or for what?

A few years ago I remember having this same discussion with myself.  Not being an articulate historian, I googled our constitution! In hope of some insight into the blessings that brought the this great nation into being.  

We are free, independent persons.  A “nation under God!”  Created equal with certain “inalienable rights.”

I had to look up inalienable; because I wasn’t at all sure what it meant.  It goes like this:   “Inalienable rights are those that can not be given, or taken, away.” 

It occurs to me that our forefathers were basically saying the same thing as the Apostle Paul.  

We are Americans under God!  

We are Christians under God!

As such we have certain inalienable rights 

Inalienable rights that no law, or human, can take from us.  They are ours forever!  Under God!

Very Cool!  As we old Grammas use to say!

The line, in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, that needs our critical attention is verse 13:  

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 

The way I understand it, Paul does not use the term “flesh”  in a way that mean wrong, or dirty, or sinful. More, it means not being “self-indulgence.”  Not only thinking of yourself!  It means the human temptation to be arrogant or rude.  Or maybe just being concerned with what you think and what you want. Not considering the other person, or persons!  

In short, not living “under God!”

       

Not living in God’s name! 

The opposite of living in the “flesh,” is a life lived in God’s call to love others as we love ourselves.  A life that takes into consideration the needs of others. Is a life of faith that produces loving works. 

Love is the way to embrace freedom.  Through an expression of Christ’s love.  And Christ’s kind of love was alway, most always, a life of service to others needs.  

Paul is very clear!  We must not abuse or misuse this precious freedom we have been blessed with.  And we can live this way because we have God’s Spirit to keep us on the path of love. 

And so then!  As we strive to live faith-fully -- fully -- as God’s people.  Participating in Jesus’ call to follow.  We find the strength to shed our ego-invested flesh.  And take hold of the presence of the Spirit provided by God’s grace.

Let me end this morning with the reminder that: Freedom, under God, does come with responsibility!  

Let me state that with more grace!  

Freedom comes with the privilege, yes the privilege, of seeing every individual we meet as a child of God. One with the very same, equal, acceptance before God that you and I enjoy.  And thus is to be treated just as we wish to be treated.  

It is really so simple!  The smallest child understands it!

      Don’t treat others in ways that you don’t want to be treated. 

1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. 4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? 8 Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 But my friends, why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 22…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.(Gal. 5)