Everything [in] between Stranger & Neighbor

Everything [in] between Stranger & Neighbor

Everything [in] between: Part 1
Series based on the Narrative Lectionary & Sanctified Art
March 9, 2025
Luke 10:25-37

But the legal expert wanted to prove that he was right, so he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied, “A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He encountered thieves, who stripped him naked, beat him up, and left him near death.  Now it just so happened that a priest was also going down the same road. When he saw the injured man, he crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way.  Likewise, a Levite came by that spot, saw the injured man, and crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way.  A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.  The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, tending them with oil and wine. Then he placed the wounded man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him.  The next day, he took two full days’ worth of wages and gave them to the innkeeper. He said, ‘Take care of him, and when I return, I will pay you back for any additional costs.’  What do you think? Which one of these three was a neighbor to the man who encountered thieves?”

Then the legal expert said, “The one who demonstrated mercy toward him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:26-37 (CEB)

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In light of current American Foreign Policy that seems to be increasingly alienating our long time neighbors and allies around the globe, the parable of the Good Samaritan just hits differently this time through. It’s hard to talk about sacrificing so much for a stranger when we can’t even support those we’ve always considered friends.

Perhaps a slightly different take on this famous parable would be more representative of our present moment. See what you think…

The Parable of the Great Benefactor

A certain man was returning home and along the way he was attacked by thieves. They beat him, took everything he had, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Now by chance, a merchant from the great Eastern kingdom passed that way. He saw the man lying in the dust but turned his eyes away, saying, "This is not my concern, for my trade must not be disrupted. Let him fend for himself." And he passed by on the other side.

Likewise, a religious leader from the Western lands, known for his wisdom and many councils, came and looked upon the man. He furrowed his brow and said, "This is indeed a most troubling situation. I shall write about his plight, hold discussions, and offer my deepest regrets. But as for caring for his wounds, or shelter for his weary head, that is beyond my means." And so he too passed by on the other side.

But as the man lay in his suffering, behold, a great and mighty Benefactor came upon him, adorned in fine robes, surrounded by attendants who carried his words to the multitudes. He looked upon the man, and as he peered closer, a smile curled upon his lips.

"Ah," said the Benefactor, "I know you. Have I not helped you before? And yet here you are again, weak and dependent, always in need, always asking for more. Tell me, why have you not lifted yourself up? Should a man not stand upon his own feet? Are you to be forever a beggar, leaning upon the kindness of others?"

And the man, though weary and weak, lifted his voice and said, "Great sir, I am grateful beyond measure. But I am wounded and alone. I cannot rise on my own."

But the Benefactor shook his head, saying, "No, I have not heard the gratitude I deserve. You have received much from me, yet I see no sufficient praise. Have I not spoken of your suffering before kings and rulers? Have I not declared my wish for peace? And yet, you ask for more."

The man groaned, his breath faint, but the Benefactor continued, "Perhaps I shall help you, but first, tell me this—what shall I gain in return? For I am weary of carrying burdens not my own."

And his attendants murmured among themselves, saying, "Is it not true that this man has made poor choices? Has he not invited his misfortune?" And another added, "Should he not first show himself worthy? For we do not cast our pearls before swine."

So the Benefactor stood over the man and spoke boldly, "We want the suffering to end," yet he gave him nothing for his wounds, nor did he offer him a way to safety. Instead, he turned to the crowd that gathered and declared, "Let all see how merciful I am, for I have come to him in his hour of need."

Then he departed on his way, and the man was left as he was, wounded and forsaken.

And Jesus said, "Which of these, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?"

And they answered, "Surely not the one who spoke of mercy but gave nothing."

Then Jesus turned to the powerful who had ears to hear and said:

"Woe to you who hoard riches and say, ‘I have done enough,’ while the poor languish at your gates. Woe to you who give with one hand and take with the other, who proclaim peace yet make demands of the suffering. Woe to you who tie up heavy burdens and lay them on others, but will not lift a finger to help. You devour the weak with your policies and call yourselves merciful. You pass by the broken and say, ‘It is not my concern,’ and yet you love to be called righteous.

Have you not read? ‘He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him’? Have you not heard? ‘Is not this the fast I have chosen—to loose the chains of injustice, to set the oppressed free, to share your bread with the hungry?’ You honor me with your lips, but your hearts are far from me!

But I say to you, blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled. For the day is coming when the first shall be last, and the last shall be first, when the mighty shall be cast down, and the humble lifted up. Go, therefore, and do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

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Luke 6:24, Amos 6:1, Matthew 23:4, Isaiah 10:1-2, Proverbs 14:31, Isaiah 58:6-7, Matthew 15:8, Matthew 5:6-7, Matthew 20:16, Luke 1:52, Micah 6:8

Do No Harm

Do No Harm
July 21, 2024
Galatians 5:13-15, Proverbs 3:28-29

You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love.  All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour each other, be careful that you don’t get eaten up by each other!

Galatians 5:13-15 (CEB)

Don’t plan to harm your neighbor who trusts and lives near you.

Proverbs 3:29 (CEB)

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John Wesley, in his instructions to all those desirous of salvation, explained that the evidence of their
sincerity was "First, by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most
generally practiced ..." (Book of Discipline 2000, ¶103, p. 73). Even before listing good things to do, Wesley began by listing harmful things to avoid doing. There is a powerful lesson for Christian leaders in this instruction — as valuable as good works may be, it is even more valuable to avoid those things that might harm others or destroy the foundation of trust of the congregation. 

~ excerpt from UMC Discipleship

In theory, the idea of doing no harm seems simple. 

Perhaps that’s why Bishop Reuben Job calls it the first of “Three Simple Rules.”  It’s simple because in general, we do not seek to do harm to others.  We don’t usually try to hurt people.  At the same time, we know the reality that it is often the people who are closest to us that we hurt the most, often without even realizing it. 

Consider a few of the ways we commonly do harm to others without necessarily intending it:

1. Gossip - We all have opinions and easily find fault with other people, but it is far to easy to talk “about” those people rather than talking “to” them or “with” them. 

2. Unfair Criticism - It is so easy to criticize someone for not living up to our expectations, but in truth, we have no idea what is going on  in their lives.  Scripture calls us to turn our criticism into encouragement to build one another up in the Lord.

3. Rumors - similar to gossip, rumors or mis-information is widespread in our culture.  Even fact checkers have been challenged as false when they don’t line up with “what we have heard” or “what we already think.”  As Christians, we must be far more discerning about the information we spread, especially when it is about someone else.

4. Respectful discourse even in disagreement - As much as we may want to avoid conflict, often brushing our disagreements under the rug and not dealing with them can do even more harm.  We must learn to respect one another’s opinions while also challenging those places where those opinions, including our own, may cause harm to others. 

5. Apathy - One of the easiest and most common ways we do harm to others is simply by not doing anything at all.  When we refuse to speak up on behalf of a person or group who is experiencing harm, we are part of the problem. 

What other ways do you see harm in our world, or even in your own life? 

How will you work intentionally to “do no harm” this week?