| July 15, 2001 Deuteronomy 30:10-14 + Colossians 1 15-20 + Luke 10:25-37 |
| What is this law the wnter of Deuteronomy speaks of with such passion? What commandment and statute are we so strongly encouraged to keep, and what is it we are to return to the Lord our God with all our heart and all our soul? He’s right, this one who writes to us from so long ago. It is not too mysterious or remote.Every descendant of Abraham has it written on their hearts and in their minds. To this day, faithful Jewish people have at their door posts and some wear it on their person. It is the heart of the Book of Deuteronomy For us it is another of the qualities to be found in disciple of Jesus Christ, one so significant and profound that it will take us two weeks to explore it’s depths and implications. It is the law of Love, the theme of the whole of book of sermons that make up Deuteronomy, and the Law Jesus summarized in his life and his preaching: You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your mind, and your whole soul, and you shall love your neighbor has yourself. |
| In the tenth chapter of Deuteronomy, the servant of Yahweh is instructed with all the force of law to: “Love the stranger” In the sixth chapter it is “Love the Lord your God” which the scholar quotes so deftly in his response to Jesus. He knows the law very well. It is the violation of the law of love for the stranger that condemns those who passed by the man at the side of the road. It is the keeping of that law by the Samaritan that sets before us this quality of discipleship. Next week, we shall see again in it’s other side: the Love of God. |
| “Neighbor Love” or perhaps, “Mercy” as Jesus calls it today becomes the third of the qualities we are called to consider in our own lives this week. First there was Poverty two weeks ago, then there was Joy, last week, and now we find this Mercy, Disciples of Jesus know this quality deep within their being. It is a quality of generosity and compassion. It is not just exceptional moments or a response to disasters, but a quality that is consistent and present all the time. The disciple of Jesus does not just show up when a tornado or hurricane blows through, they do not just learn the name of a neighbor when their house bums down.,They are always aware of human need, and never measure out limits to their compassion, concern, and assistance. “Take care of him. If there is more cost, I will repay you upon my return.” It is never a matter of whether or not those in need deserve assistance. The disciple of Jesus is not a social worker concerned with the solutions of social problems. The disciple of Jesus knows Mercy, and can see the face of God in another human being, and they will not pass by Mercy is that quality of love and compassion when there is every reason for there to be none. |
| I ran across this little story last week that drives home the point with wonderful clarity It spoke of random acts of kindness, and proposed that they could generate a tidal wave of goodness. It seems that a woman drove up to a toll booth on the highway and handed the attendant seven tokens instead of just one. “I’m paying for mine and for the next six cars.” she said. As each car pulled up to the booth, the attendant announced, “The lady in the red car paid your toll. Have a nice day!” |
| Now that’s how Samaritan Love works, or “Mercy” The lady in the car had no idea who was behind her It didn’t make any difference. This story of Samaritan Love offers a challenge to all who believe in Jesus Christ and would be His disciples to make the practice of random acts of kindness their routine, not an occasional exception, the rule of their lives, not just at toll booths, but hour by hour on the phone, at the desk, in the car, at the table, in the classroom, or in the kitchen, wherever there is another in whom we may see the face of God. Mercy is indiscriminate, or it isn’t Mercy at all. It does not measure or hmit. It is never exclusive nor reserved for someone special. Mercy, for a disciple of Jesus, is something very near, already in our mouths, and in our hearts, and it simply waits to be carried out. |