Good Morning Friends,
I think the most powerful message for unity in the building and cultivating community, that our world needs to hear is not “Look at me and the power I have!” From that stems evil. Still, we hope for the unity that Zechariah prophesied knowing that claims that we have it all figured out are boldfaced lies. Perhaps is it better to shine a light on this mess that is our lives, and what God has done with it anyway. Better to put the Kingdom of God first. And of course, that is not always easy. So, What Kind Of Chaos Is God Ordering In Your Life On The Journey?
Scripture: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, the inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Come, let us go to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.” Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from nations of every language shall take hold of a Jew, grasping his garment and saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
Zechariah 8:20-23 (NRSV)
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
Luke 9:51-56 (NRSV)
Message: Today’s lectionary scripture makes me think of the story of the Good Samaritan and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. And about 60% of the people in the pews, I am told, can recount the story of the kind acts offered to that victim of bandits by that Samaritan. The sad thing in the story is that so many others with greater financial resources and religious qualifications passed that wounded traveler without helping. People in the pews even know about the story’s message related to being a good neighbor and the lawyer who prompted the tale by asking how to have eternal life. Fewer know the powerful story of the woman at the well and how she became an evangelist for Christ. But both accounts are relevant in understanding today’s text that paints a picture of just how prejudiced the disciples were to the Samaritans as well as how messed up they really were. We always think of John as a softy apostle, but his fiery disposition can be seen in this passage. He was so angry at those who rejected Jesus that He asked Jesus if he wanted them to bring fire down from heaven and consume them. It is no wonder why James and John were called the “Sons of Thunder.” But Jesus rebukes this kind of insensitivity and unforgiving spirit. For unity and rebuilding and revival to succeed another approach is needed. We too are to get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice that turns our lives into messes. We are to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us.
And So, at the heart of the matter we ought not be so quick to judge those who are different from us, those who are separated from us by walls of racial and or religious prejudice. It was the hated Samaritan who stopped to help the wounded. It was the despised woman at the well that shared the Gospel. Friends, there are Good Samaritans everywhere and they come in every color and creed imaginable. There are, no doubt, many Good Samaritan Americans today. As America deals with heightened tensions of immigration, balancing budgets, and murders, let us not be quick to push everyone who is different from us into the camp of those who are to be distrusted, hated and despised. Let God deal with the mess of our lives, for the problem might just be the person in the mirror.
Pray we realize that God came into the world not to destroy us but to save us. Pray we use our tongues wisely. Pray we speak the truth to one another with love. Pray we be peacemakers offering justice and kindness. Pray we build unity through acts of love and never scheme against each other. Pray God is with us gathering us together to dwell together and be joined together and framed together and built together as we strive together. Pray we plant gardens that cultivate preparedness, promptness, perseverance, and politeness. Pray we are unselfish, loyal, and loving, as well as thankful. Pray we build a reputation that God is with us working for the good of all and the success of the flock, family, and Kingdom of God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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