The Real Neighbor Redefined & Radical Outreach

(The Parable of the Good Samaritan- Luke 10:25-37)

 by: Sis. Andrea Ortega

Most of us love a good story, especially those that we can relate to or has details that are familiar to us.  Back in the days of Jesus Christ, he frequently shared stories or illustrations that his listeners can easily relate to, usually from mere human circumstances or natural occurrences and drawing analogy or comparison from it in order to teach a spiritual lesson which is known as a  parable.  Jesus’ parables contain some of the most profound lessons that he taught, at the same time, they comprise some of his most easily understood lessons. 

 Let’s have an in-depth look at one of the parables and the lesson that Jesus taught in Luke 10: 25-37. Jesus was prompted to tell the parable of the good Samaritan when a certain lawyer (who, by the way is not how we understand lawyers today as someone who defends you in court, rather, “lawyers” back then are those experts of the Mosaic law; a religious man), came to Jesus and tested him (to see whether Jesus can explain the law correctly or say anything contrary to it, and see if he could gain any advantage against Him & expose Him & get credit for himself) by asking his follow-up question “Who is my neighbor?”. 

 For us who are living in the 21^st century to understand a parable that was told about 2,000 years ago in a context and setting that are foreign to most of us, we need to have a closer look at some of tits elements. Let’s start with the location- the road to Jerusalem to Jericho. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho (about 18 miles) lay through desert and rocky places.  It’s been nicknamed “The Bloody Way” since so many robberies and murders were committed there. The city of Jericho was situated in the valley: hence the phrase of going down to it. About 12,000 priests and Levites lived there, who all attended the service of the temple, thus these religious people frequently travel using this road.

 

Now, let’s get to know the characters of the parable, beginning with the man/ victim.  Many scholars believe that most likely, he was also a Jew. This mans was travelling the Jerusalem- Jericho road where he was robbed, stripped off of his clothing, wounded, left on the road half-dead. He was a totally helpless man.  In order to survive, he needs someone to help him.  Next is the priest, also known in Greek as “hereus” meaning figuratively or literally a High Priest. No doubt this man was a very, very religious man and was the most likely candidate to show mercy to the half-dead man.    But as the parable tells us, he did exactly the opposite, he went even as far as passing by on the other road.  Then came the Levite, a descendant from the tribe of Levi who was charged with ministering to the priests and keeping watch over the tabernacle/ temple.  Again another religious man! But how did he respond? He too, like the priest, passed by the other side and did absolutely nothing to help the man.  Finally, the last character is the Samaritan.   

 

At this point, it’s very vital for us to note that the Samaritans are enemies of the Jews and totally hated by them.  They simply don’t associate and deal with each other.  In fact, for the Jews, the word “Samaritan” is synonymous with “heretic” & the “devil”.  That’s how deep the hatred of the Jews toward their half-brothers.  With this in mind, we can easily say that out of the 3 travellers who saw the injured man, the Samaritan was the least likely to show mercy & compassion & extend help to the injured man.  He could have said, “He’s my enemy, why should I bother to help him?”, but no, he saw beyond their difference, instead what his eyes clearly saw was a man in need and what filled his heart was mercy and compassion for the man.  And that mercy and compassion moved him to do something with the man’s condition - he bandaged his wounds, poured wine (to cleanse) and oil (to soothe) his wounds, bandaged him, set him off on his own animal and took him to an inn, gave the innkeeper 2 denarii, told him to take care of him and that when he comes back, he’ll pay the extra expenses!  Wow!  That is radical outreach!  It was radical enough that of all the people who saw the man, it was the enemy who had compassion and reached out to this man and went the extra mile just to see him well.  That is the true neighbor.

 

The word “neighbor” came from the Greek “Plesion’, which means “someone who is near” or in the Hebrew language, it means “someone that you have an association with.  That is how they defined neighbor in those days and this is the lawyer’ understanding and definition of neighbor before Jesus told him the parable and redefined the meaning of neighbor.  Other than the popular question, “Who is my neighbor?”, Jesus, I feel, also addressed the  following; “Who is not the real neighbor?”,  “Who is the real neighbor?”, and “What does it mean to be a real neighbor?”

 

1.            “Who is my neighbor?” - Anyone we encounter who is in need is our neighbor (Luke 10:30)

The only criterion that Jesus set on the parable is a person’s need, regardless who they are or what there background is, anybody we encounter who’s got a need that we saw and recognized is our neighbor.

 

2.            “Who is not the real neighbor?” - Anybody who saw the need & did nothing about it even when you have the capacity to do something about it (Luke 10:31-32)

In order to define and clearly show who is a real neighbor to someone in need, Jesus had to first show first what a counterfeit neighbor looks like and these are those who saw the need & did absolutely nothing about it (Priest and Levite). It’s sad to note that these were those who claimed to love God and are expected to show kindness, yet they had excuses and simply closed to the need of the helpless neighbor. There is then a danger of having the form of religion yet denying the very things that count in the eyes of the Lord.

 

3.            “Who Is the real neighbor?” – Anybody who saw the need and showed compassion by responding to the need appropriately  (Luke 10:33-35)

When compassion fills one’s heart and that compassion moves that person to meet that need, that person is the real neighbor and such is commendable before the Lord.

 

4. “What does it mean to be a real neighbor?” – To be a real neighbor and to love our neighbor means reaching out radically  Luke 10:34-35)

a.         Radical outreach means going beyond our own prejudices & stereotypes (race, religion, etc.)

b.         Radical outreach involve risks

c.         Radical outreach entails sacrifices in terms of resources (finances, time, effort etc.)

d.         Radical outreach is unconditional and unselfish

The Good Samaritan exemplified all these.  He stepped outside his comfort zone and went the extra mile and in effect, revolutionized what it truly means to be a real neighbor – a neighbor that is pleasing in the eyes of God.

             As we reflect on our own lives, how many times have we missed the opportunity to be a Good Samaritan to someone whose need God had brought to our attention when we did nothing about it  and brushed it off altogether? Extending help to our neighbor who is in need is not easy.  We need the love of God in our hearts and the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to look beyond racial, cultural and personal preferences and prejudices.  And that even includes difficult people or those that we consider as an enemy. Loving our neighbor may mean sacrifices on our part, yet because our hearts are filled with compassion and mercy we do something to meet that need.  Perhaps it may mean sharing your lunch with an annoying co-worker, preparing a warm cup of tea for a stressed family member, providing a place of rest for the weary traveller, or a warm hug, a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear to a broken-hearted friend. Opportunities to help our neighbor abound round us.  Let’s ask the Lord to open our eyes and fill our hearts with compassion and may our hands extend and express the love of Christ to the needy. And who knows, God might use that opportunity to bring a precious soul into His Kingdom.  Let’s remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matt. 25: 35-40:

 

³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give Youdrink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

 The challenge for us now is to follow the example of the good Samaritan, or as Jesus puts it, “Go and do likewise!” 

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MENTOR

(1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

by: Sis. Theresa  V. Diaz

Author: Paul

Date Written: Approximately A.D. 51 from Corinth; one of Paul’s earliest letters.

Purpose: To strengthen the Thessalonian Christians in their faith and give them the assurance of Christ’s return.

Apostle Paul’s background:

Paul established the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. He wrote this letter a short time later to encourage the young believers there. He wanted to assure them of his love, to praise them for their faithfulness during persecution, and to remind them of their hope – the sure return of their LORD and Savior.

Born in Tarsus but became a world traveler for Christ.

Paul was a Jew, a Roman citizen, a Pharisee, an apostle, a preacher, a teacher, a tentmaker, & an evangelizer.  And Paul was a writer.  Thirteen of the Twenty Seven books of the New Testament are attributed to him, making him a prolific composer.

Occupations: Trained as a Pharisee, learned the tent making trade, served as a missionary.

 Apostle Paul was transformed by God from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher for Christ. Let us review what is the meaning of mentor? A mentor is a trusted friend, a wise counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person.

M - mature, E - encourager, N - nurturer, T - teacher, O -overseer, R - restorer

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MENTOR

 1)    Boldness & Endurance in suffering. V 1-2

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

“Our coming to you” refers to Paul’s visit to Thessalonica recorded in Acts 17:1-19. The Thessalonians knew that Paul has been imprisoned in Philippi just prior coming to Thessalonica. Fear of imprisonment did not keep Paul from preaching the gospel. If God wants us to do something He will give us the strength and courage to boldly speak out for Him despite any obstacles that may come our way. Boldnessrequires courage to press through fears and do what is right.

2)    Honesty & Purity. V3-6

³ For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. ⁴ But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

 Paul could be bold in the face of opposition because he was certain that his exhortation did not come from deceit or error. Here was a man certain of what he believed and why he believed it. There is great danger when a man begins to preach without being certain of the source of his convictions.

Paul is not a crowd-pleaser but a God-pleaser. When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he didn’t flatter them, didn’t seek their praise and didn’t become a burden to them. He & Silas completely focused their efforts on presenting God’s message of salvation to the Thessalonians.

 3)    Gentleness & Love. V 7-8

⁷ But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Gentleness is love in action – being considerate, meeting the needs of others, allowing time for the other person to talk and being willing to learn. It is an essential for both men & women. Maintain a gentle attitude in your relationships with others.

Paul used a family metaphor to identify the two key characteristics of an effective mentoring relationship: (1) a loving mother (“nurse”) and (2) a hardworking father. The Biblical language of verse 7 illustrates the gentle love of nursing mother. There is something very warm and tender about a mother’s love for her children. Just as mothers are absolutely indispensable to the growth and development of children, spiritual mentors are essential for the spiritual maturity of their students.

 4)    Giving of Self or Self Sacrificing.  V 9

⁹ For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Why did the preaching of Paul and his companions have a great impact on so many towns? It may well have been the fact that Paul, Silas and Timothy offered more than the gospel - they offered themselves. If we would make those whom we seek to teach "dear to us" we would probably be more effective in our presentation. Preaching the gospel can never become simply a profession; it must be our very life itself. Our attitude must be: "I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls" (2 Cor. 12:15).

5)    Blameless in conduct. V 10

¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

 Paul, Silas and Timothy may not have met with great success everywhere they preached, but their work was never destroyed by their own wickedness. Right or wrong, people always judge the conduct of preachers more strictly and we need to be careful lest we destroy the effectiveness of our preaching by careless conduct. (Parents should also take a lesson from Paul and realize that they cannot teach their children to do things that they themselves are unwilling to do.)

6)    Parental care & training. V 11-12

¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, ¹² that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

 No loving father would neglect the safety of his children, allowing them to walk into circumstances that might be harmful or fatal. In the same way, we must take new believers under our wing until they mature enough to stand firm in their faith. We must help new Christians become strong enough to influence others for the sake of the gospel.

By his words and example, Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to live in such a way that would be worthy of God.

CONCLUSION:

Always remember that we are mentors in everything we do. By modeling Christian behavior we are mentoring and leading others toward a path with Christ.

Is there anything about your daily life that would embarrass GOD?

What do people think of GOD from watching you?

YOU LEAD

Message from the Pastor

WIN - Al Ain 4^th Youth Anniversary

April 20, 2012

 

Matt 4:18-22 (NKJV)

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

 

My family and I would like to congratulate Sis. Leonor Fernandez and the WIN - Al Ain Youth Ministry Core leaders and members on their 4^th anniversary. May the Youth of this church serve their generations for many years to come until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

One thing I would like to say about the youth is their unremitting energy and enthusiasm.  At the spur of a moment they will set out to have fun anytime and anywhere they wish.  They are not as calculating as us adults because experience tells us to be cautious and avoid the mistakes of the past.  The youth has no such hesitations. They are willing to try almost anything, experimenting with new and creative things they can get their hands on.

Such impulsiveness should be found in every one of us who are willing to become disciples of Jesus. In Matthew 4:18-22, they first 4 disciples did not even hesitate when they heard the Master’s voice. The Bible tells us that they “immediately (mentioned twice) left their nets/boat and even their father” and followed Him.

This is not recklessness on their part. They knew in their heart the call of God.  When Jesus came into their lives at the right moment, they knew it was time to leave everything behind and follow the path that God prepared for them to take.  Notice that the call came at the middle of their work.  It seems that God is not interested in lazy people who have nothing else to do. Some would probably follow God if only they have spare time or just plain bored. God is in the habit of calling hardworking followers who are willing to sacrifice their very livelihood and family just to heed the voice of the Spirit.  I know for a fact that some brethren who got terminated from their job would assume that God is calling them into the ministry.  This may be true or could it be that they are just covering up their shame of losing their job and using the call of God as an explanation. When Pastor Bayani Esguerra of WIN – Phillippines National Office was in the UAE conducting counseling sessions, he shared with me that one of the marks of a true calling from God is when you are doing great at your present profession.  Just like in the case of Elisha as he was plowing the field with 12 yokes of oxen.  He was hardworking and well-off. Yet he did not hesitate when Elijah threw his mantle over him, signifying that he would follow Elijah and become his disciple and eventually his successor.

My prayer for the youth is that while they are waiting for that divine call they would live fruitful, productive lives. They must prove themselves first of all inside their homes, studying hard for school and helping out with household chores. When they finally graduate and have jobs of their own, they will prove themselves before their employers and fellow employees alike in their faithfulness and steadfastness.  Such attitudes must be there for the Lord to use in His kingdom. Will Jesus find them faithful in all things such as work? God is looking for hardworking laborers in his harvest fields. God is glorified with men and women who would give their 100% best!  I pray that when Jesus calls them, they are also be willing to give up those things that bring them profit, only to profit the King and His kingdom with their sacrifice.

I call upon the Youth today to go and glorify the Lord of the Harvest by working hard and quickly follow Jesus as He leads them to fulfill their destiny.

May God bless us all today and forever more!

Ps Edward, Sis Marlene, David John and Sally Joy