I was lucky as a little boy to have two fine next-door neighbors. Sterle Drake was a man of the soil: never employed, yet had a huge garden and puttered about the property. The Drake’s owned a Jersey cow named Dorothy, and raised a succession of goats, calves & pigs–and ducks & chickens, too. Mr. Drake smoked a green-yellow stemmed pipe, which matched his teeth; he rarely shaved and sometimes he wasn’t available for my visits as he was “sleeping it off”. George Davidson lived on the other side, and would let me “help” him roof his porch or extend his garage. Both these men seemed to encourage my company, and listened well to my dreams and plans. They also reprimanded me, when necessary, and gave me life-orientation for my journey. I often look back on their care with thanks! Those who sit in church pews this weekend will celebrate neighborly care from unexpected sources, and will be encouraged to see holy things in their neighbors.
Amos didn’t consider himself a prophet, but was a shepherd from Tekoa, a village of Judah (Southern Kingdom). God called him to go to Bethel, the “King’s Chapel”, the holiest place in Israel (Northern Kingdom), and to announce that unless the people straightened up their injustices and crooked immorality, all sorts of calamity would fall on them. “See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel…” (Amos 7:8) Built on visions, Amos’ prophecy referred at least four times to “What God showed me”, or “what God has caused me to see”. The message of this”alien” was not well received–yet it was the observation of God sent through the guy next door.
When Paul wrote to the Colossians (1:1-14), he also was a foreigner tapped by God to bring a holy message. “… we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” These Children of God also needed neighborly affirmations and corrections on their path.
The Gospel tells the famous story of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37. Modern usage has glorified the word “Samaritan”, but in Jesus’ time it indicated a thoroughly repugnant and vilified society. Teaching in hyperbole, Jesus contrasted the non-action of the Good Guys to the immediate care given by this (ugh!) Samaritan. Once again the fella from the other side of the fence came through, much to the grudging astonishment of the Establishment. “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” The scribe replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” On his way to Death, Jesus brought a message of Life…
These three readings help us to see more clearly that God often comes to us in the guise of a stranger. Are there those nearby who surprise us from time to time with their insight and compassion? Even warnings of impending crises can be seen as Grace; perhaps we can yet adjust our course away from the rocks. God evidently provides Gents Next Door so that we’re not left to our own devices…
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My encounter with scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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