So Who IS My Neighbor?

It was quite impossible to read these scriptures without singing Mr. Roger’s theme song: “…It’s a beautiful day for a neighbor: won’t you be mine?” These lessons are all about the tie between being Christian and acting like one. Not all “nice” people are Christians, but you really cannot be one if you trample upon the poor and needy. We were reminded of this during the recent Fourth of July telecasts where a group of lily-white folks sang about liberty and justice “for all”…

AMOS was from Tekoa, a village in Judah (the South), but he was appointed to prophesy to Israel (the North), to denounce their King Jeroboam and the accompanying injustices. They thought they were fine, since they kept all the Rules. The Plumb Line of 7:8 tells whether the structure is straight or if it’ll fall down under stress. According to God/Amos, Israel’s structure was flawed and would collapse under Divine Pressure. Does a gracious God judge God’s People? Yes, if such judgement helps them to straighten up and fly right… Are contemporary times under like judgement? Or are sophisticated moderns more at home with the status quo than they are with an ancient God?

We’re pretty sure that the Letter addressed to the COLOSSIANS wasn’t written by Paul himself, but by his team. At any rate, 1:9-14 are intercessory prayers that these Gentiles should treat the World right. Christ has transferred them from “the power of darkness to the kingdom of [God’s] beloved son” where they shall find redemption. Leading “lives worthy of the Lord” involves bearing “fruit in every good work”, evidently living for others as well as themselves.

The Gospel lesson, LUKE 10:25-37, is the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. But Samaritans are mongrels, hated foreigners and don’t worship at the True Temple in Jerusalem! Who’d want to be one of THOSE? But there are “Good Neighbor Sam” clubs dedicated to helping change a tire, etc. This is a story for those of us on a journey, for those who meet crises and need help. Will we accept help from just anyone? Don’t be too hard on the two guys who were playing by the Rules: they were choosing to be Holy over being Helpful. Inhibited by tradition, like many of us they passed by on the other side. If Jesus were telling this parable today–and who says he isn’t?–he probably would substitute “illegal alien” for the Samaritan.

We spend too much time and energy trying to decide who’s In and who’s out. Jesus keeps calling us to love God’s Created People with all we’ve got, to forget the Rules and get on with Life! Just after the Civil War, William W. How wrote, “From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Alleluia!” Won’t you be? Won’t you be? Please won’t you be my neighbor?

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join us every Tuesday to be explored by Scriptures to be heard in worship on the upcoming weekend: at horacebrownking.com