Luke 10:27-29 - Who IS my neighbor?

Luke 10:27-29 (NRSV)

(Jesus) answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to justify himself, (the lawyer) asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

So once we learn to love ourselves, then we're ready to look outward in a love that is moves beyond ourselves.

In another time and place, Jesus will say "love your enemy."

Here Jesus says "love your neighbor."

Is there a chance that they are one and the same sometimes?

The lawyer asks the question we are told, in order to justify himself.

He must be pretty sure that the neighbor thing is pretty narrow, and he's got it down.

We do that still I'm afraid. I do it anyway.

I tend to see my neighbor in terms of geography. Close geography.

Yet the same Jesus who will also say "love your enemy" here says "love your neighbor."

Why should I expect the two to be mutually exclusive?

It's a good set up for a great story...

Lord let me see beyond myself to all of my neighbors and help me not to be surprised at who they are! Amen

Luke 10:27-29: Love self

Luke 10:27-29 (NRSV)

(Jesus) answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to justify himself, (the lawyer) asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

And we're still asking this today, aren't we? This one conversation is one loaded one, isn't it? 

Who is your neighbor? Who is the person you are to love as yourself?

And even before that, what does it mean to love yourself? What does Jesus mean to love yourself?

Let's start there. This dialogue might be worthy of looking at more than once.

What does it mean to love yourself?

In an age of self-help books and self-esteem workshops, we might thing we know.

But loving self isn't simply self-esteem.

It isn't pride in our accomplishments and position in life.

It is acceptance. It is self-forgiveness. It is stark honesty about who we really are. It is waking up every day knowing that we are both saint and sinner and that we have a God who loves us as we are.

And then...only then...can we love ourselves enough to have the strength to truly love others. Others who disappoint us just as often as we disappoint ourselves.

So before we ask who our neighbor is, we first must ask ourselves: Do I see myself as God sees me? And can I love that person in the mirror?

Lord, I see through a glass dimly. I don't see myself sometimes as I truly am. Awaken in my the truth of myself so that I can love myself as you love me and then share that love beyond. Amen.

Luke 10:25-28 - Simple but not easy

Luke 10:25-28 (NRSV)

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

The most famous parable begins with a question from a lawyer. (So lawyers have been asking questions for a long time, huh?).

And it's an interesting one. What must be done to inherit eternal life?

Buried in that is another question: just what IS eternal life?

Ask 100 people and you might just get 100 answers. 

But what does Jesus say it is?

There is really only one place in Scripture where Jesus defines eternal life. In John 17:3, in prayer, Jesus says: "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Know God. Know Jesus.

That's it.

Knowing God causes life to happen.

How does that change our very perception of everything?

That's what Jesus is telling this lawyer. Change your perception and life happens.

Not just future life. But life now.

Know God now and live.

Love God now and live.

Love Neighbor now and live.

Yet with all this talk of life and love, the lawyer will want to narrow things even further.  Looking perhaps for a way out? Or looking to take something simple and turn it into something complex?

Is it perhaps too simple this life Jesus offers? Have we been trying to complicate it? Simple, but not easy.

Lord, what does it mean to live? Show me! Amen

The Teachings of Jesus: The Good Samaritan, Introduction

Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV)

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

This is one of those teachings/parables of Jesus that has become so deeply ingrained that the very title of "Good Samaritan" is easily understood in the wider culture. We read sometimes in the news about Good Samaritan stories - often when one went either particularly well, or when one went particularly wrong.

We have "Good Samaritan" laws.

So it seems as if we have nothing left to learn from this story.

And yet, thankfully, it is one we return to time and again in the church.

We return to it because sometimes we need to be reminded.

Sometimes we need to remember.

And often we don't understand just who a Samaritan - be they good or bad - is.

And we need to ask ourselves over and over again, who the Samaritans in our lives are.

So, I'll spend the next several devotions unpacking it just a bit.

Lord, help me to see the outsiders in my life that I need to let in. Amen

Luke 15:25-32 - Party?

Luke 15:25-32 (NRSV)

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

It's nice when a celebration is the end of the story.

But a celebration isn't the end of this story. Instead, in our epilogue, another character comes forward on the stage to get his say.

What do we already know about this older son? 

We know that he was in some ways cheated out of his inheritance. 

We know he is a hard worker.

We know he has morals.

We know he has stayed put.

We know he doesn't think much of his younger brother.

And what else?

That all of those things combined make us know he is resentful.

And that resentment makes him disrespectful. In some ways, the disrespect he shows his father here is as stark as that his younger brother showed when he asked for his inheritance.

"That son of yours." He says. Not my brother. And not that I am your son.

He has sees himself as a hired hand, and the resentment is palpable.

And yet in the midst of the celebration, his father begs him to join in. The celebration might be because the younger son has been found.

But it is a celebration FOR them all.

So the question is...

What happens next?

Do you think the older son joined in the party?

Lord, at times resentment blinds me to the joy you set before me. Help me to reach out and join in the party. Amen.

Luke 15:21-24 - Who is the prodigal?

Luke 15:21-24(NRSV)

Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

It all sounds like such a happy ending, doesn't it?

What good fortune for this younger son.

It's commendable that the boy found his voice and did in the end beg his father's forgiveness.

That in humility he was willing to take a lesser role in the household. So maybe he has his happy ending after all.

But again look at the father. 

At the lavishness of the celebration.

Remember that prodigal is wasteful and recklessly spendthrift. Maybe in the end, this story shouldn't be called the prodigal son as much as the prodigal father.

The lavish, wasteful, lavish father.

And that could be the end of the story.

But it isn't.

Lord I cannot even wrap my mind around your extravagant love! All I can do is be so grateful and hope that that lavish love grows in my heart. Amen

Luke 15:20 - Foolish

Luke 15:20 (NRSV)

So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.

So the son practiced what he was going to say to his father...

And he didn't even get a chance to get a word in. In a moment, even before he arrived.

Even before he uttered a word of apology.

Even before he said anything.

He was forgiven.

Just.

Like.

That.

It's a pattern, have you noticed, with the father?

To do something generous.

Just.

Like.

That.

To forgive. To love. 

Just.

Like.

That.

Even before the guilty party gets a word in. 

Even before forgiveness can be begged for.

THIS is the story Jesus told. 

Forgiveness given before it is asked for.

And given under the most foolish of circumstances.

Because that's certainly what the neighbors would have thought:

"What a ridiculous old man. Shaming himself and his property. Running, of all things, after that wastrel who deserted him and made a fool out of him."

That's what the neighbors would have said.

Because a father in that position certainly doesn't give away his property to a spendthrift. 

And then forgive everything and go running after the boy!

What kind of fool does that?

What kind of foolish love is that?

God of fools, you have caught me even before I could beg anything of you. What kind of love is that? Show me how I can be just as foolish! Amen

Luke 15:13-19: Coming to ourselves

Luke 15:13-19 (NRSV)

A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 

But when he came to himself....

Has that ever happened to you? You made a really boneheaded decision or choice. You went down a path you know you never should have even set foot on. 

You trusted the wrong person.

You lied about something.

You ignored something you should have paid attention to.

You lifted something up in an idolatrous way.

You made a cutting remark to hurt someone's feelings.

And then...you came to yourself.

And were filled with regret.

It probably happens more in our lives than we like to admit. We make the wrong choice and then there is that moment where we either decide to continue down that path or where we come to ourselves.

The son realized that he was someone other than the person who had betrayed his father's good will and squandered his inheritance and in that realization a dose of humility brought him back to the path that led him home.

It's hard to admit when we've messed up. It's hard especially to acknowledge when that messing up has hurt someone.

And yet, it is the beginning of something new when that happens. The begin of truth. And life.

Lord help me to realize and acknowledge those broken moments that lead me away from you and your people. Amen.

Luke 15:11-12: So....

Luke 15:11-12 (NRSV)

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them.

The actions starts right away in this parable, and we learn a lot about our hero - the father - in the first two verses. And most of what we learn hinges on the word, "so."

The younger son asks for his share of the property, and "so" the father divides his property between his sons.

Just.

Like.

That.

Not what we'd expect. You'd expect perhaps something more like "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me," and his father asked him why he wanted it already.

Or his father said "Let me think about it."

Or most likely: his father said, "Not yours yet, bub. Gotta wait til the will is read."

Instead, as if it was as natural as breathing, the young man asks for his inheritance - way before it is time - and "so" his father simply does what he asks.

And not only does what he asks, but divides his property up then and there. Gives the younger son his share, and gives the older son a share as well.

And probably not his full share. As the older son, he could expect to inherit all of the property at his father's death.

Instead, he receives a "share" now.

It's important to know how disrespectful the younger sons request is. He is basically asking his father to act as if he is already dead. He's basically saying he can't wait for his father to die.

And so, his father gives him what he wants.

What kind of father does that?

What kind of God does that?

God of bounty, you give to me every day more than I need and more than I deserve and I keep coming back with open hands asking for more. Instill in me a heart that is overwhelmed with gratitude for your grand generosity. Amen.

The Teachings of Jesus: The Prodigal Son, Introduction

Luke 15:11-32 (NRSV)

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

As I was writing about the Kingdom of God for the past couple of weeks, I was able to use some of my favorite small parables of Jesus. That's always a treat. 

So I've decided to spend a little time looking a bit more in depth at some of my other favorite stories and teachings of Jesus, beginning with the Prodigal Son, which I will spend several days on.

This famous story really could have a better name.  The definition of prodigal (according to Merriam-Webster) is:

1. 1. 

   characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure; lavish
2. 2. 

   recklessly spendthrift

   
   

   
   

So the son is prodigal in his wastefulness - in his being a spendthrift.

But then what about the father? I'm going to argue that this story is really about how he is the prodigal - prodigiously reckless and lavish.

And what does all of this tell us about ourselves and our God?

Lord, help me to revel in the lavishness of your love and be a bearer of that love for the world. Amen.

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Kingdom of Generosity

Matthew 20:1-16 (NRSV)

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

How you read this text certainly depends on where you are in your life, doesn't it?

Or what you have in your life.

Who is it you identify with in the text?

The first laborers? Certainly I know many hard workers who I admit I believe deserve to be well compensated for what they do. Maybe you are one of them.

Or the laborers who come at the last hour and are amazed at the bounty that is given - more than expected.

Or maybe the vineyard owner who shares what he has lavishly.

Perhaps at different times you've identified with all three.

Whomever it is, nevertheless, it is true that this isn't generally how the world we know plays out. We are told to work hard for what you get, and that people should get their fair share or what they deserve.

But in God's kingdom, no one gets what they deserve.

Instead we get more.

Instead we get all.

Each one of us. 

No matter how hard we work. No matter how much we go to church or don't. No matter how much we pray or read the Bible...

Our vineyard owner's generosity overflows.

Lord of lavish love, teach me to be generous with my love. Amen