At 3:20am on the morning of March 13, 1964, 28-yr old Kitty Genovese was returning home in a nice middle-class area of Queens, NY. She parked her car in a parking lot near her apartment complex, turned off her lights, then started to walk to her apartment building only about 35 yards away. She got as far as a streetlight when a man grabbed her. She screamed. Lights went on in the 10-floor apartment close by. She yelled out, “Oh, my God, he stabbed me! Please help me!” Windows opened in the apartment building and a man’s voice shouted out, “Let that girl alone!” The attacker looked up, shrugged, and walked off down the street. Kitty struggled to get to her feet. Lights went back out in the apartment building, but then the attacker came back and stabbed her again. Kitty cried out again, this time yelling, “I’m dying! I’m dying!” Again the lights came on and windows opened in many of the nearby apartments. He assailant left again, this time getting into his car and driving away. Kitty Genovese staggered to her feet just as a city bus drove by. It was now 8:35am. To her dismay, the assailant returned again, this time finding her in the doorway to her apartment complex and at the foot of the stairs. He stabbed her for a third time, this time fatally. It was 3:50 when police received the first call, and they responded in less than two minutes, but Ms. Genovese was already dead...lying alone in the doorway.
The story became widely known, symbolic for the darkest side of human nature. Kitty Genovese’s name became synonymous for being a victim...not only of her attacker, but of people too indifferent or self-absorbed to get involved in helping a fellow human being in trouble. Detectives discovered that at least 38 of her neighbors had witnessed at least once of her killer’s 3 attacks, but had neither come to her aid or called the police. The one call that was made came after Kitty had already been dead for at least 3 minutes and her assailant was never located nor identified.
Today, in the third message in the series, Pursuing Meaning, examining the lessons we can learn from the parables of Jesus, we’ll be looking at the first century’s equivalent to the Kitty Genovese case, but with a different ending.
I invite you to open a Bible and turn to Luke 10.
The story has been called the Parable of the Good Samaritan, although it probably was not a made-up story at all. Nowhere does the Bible say it was a parable, and the road to Jericho was known for being such a dangerous place (even called “The Way of Blood”) that a story of this nature probably had happened and was well-known to the listeners on that first century day.
The story is told as a response to a lawyer’s question. The lawyer (not a trial attorney but rather a teacher of Old Testament Law) stood up to test Jesus, asking Him the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He expected to hear that he was really close, being a teacher and all, but he was about to be taught by the Master just how far from it he actually was.
Jesus turned the question around, in a Freudian kind of way actually, by answering a question with another question. Jesus’ question to the lawyer: “What does the Law have to say about your question?” The lawyer proceeded to quote from Deuteronomy, telling Jesus that the law was summed up in loving the Lord with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus responded, saying, “If you do that you will inherit eternal life.” He wasn’t saying we’re saved by works, but was simply telling the young man that in order for a person to fulfill the Law he had to do so every time. One mess up and he wouldn’t measure up. Salvation doesn’t come by our good works. The lawyer felt he was probably doing okay on the first part of loving the Lord, but felt convicted about the second part of loving people, so, as lawyers do, he began looking for a loophole to be able to “justify” or rationalize his life. The Bible says he was “trying to justify himself,” and asked a second question, “Who is my neighbor?”
Ahhh, the perfect set-up line. So Jesus, in hoping the lawyer AND US would fully understand the subject best, told the story. The lawyer’s question was about “how do I get in?” but Jesus proceeded to turn the question around to describe what someone who is already “in” behaves, what he/she looks like.
THE STORY REVEALS SEVERAL TRUTHS WE NEED TO REMEMBER AND APPLY TO OUR LIVES TODAY:
1) COMPASSION IS THE CATALYST TO REAL MINISTRY.
-----*v.31-33--"By chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion."
Back then, people considered a priest to be the holiest person there was among the Jews. He taught the Scriptures, he was entrusted with offering sacrifices for people, and was allowed to go further into the temple than “regular” people. If anyone would reflect the character of God, the people thought, it would be the priest!
Some have tried to justify the priest for not helping because if the man was dead, touching him would have prevented the priest from offering sacrifices in the temple that day.
In the same way, they say the Levite, who at least went and looked at the man (perhaps similar to rubbernecking at a car wreck site) was perhaps on his way to assist the priest and feared the same ramifications of touching a dead man.
Two problems arise when you investigate the story closely, though:
---a) The Bible clearly tells us the priest was going DOWN the road...going down FROM Jerusalem to Jericho.
----------That means the priest had just come FROM leading a worship service, but still didn’t stop to give any assistance.
---b) The Bible tells us that to obey is better than offering sacrifices.
----------The Lord is more honored by our ministering to people in need, obeying His law, than going through the motions of a ritual.
----------Jesus encountered problems with the Pharisees, sticklers of how they believed the Law was to be obeyed, on many occasions. He healed people on the Sabbath, emphasizing that helping people was more important than denying them help because it happened to be a Sabbath day....pointing out that even the sticklers would come to the aid of one of their animals on a Sabbath if it had fallen into a pit.
So, both the priest and Levite had no excuse from offering assistance. Yet, they didn’t help. They were practicing a lifeless religion, full of pomposity and propriety, rites and rituals, but it didn’t translate to their lives and ministering to other people.
<>Ministering to people always trumps ritual or propriety.
---Desert Springs folks, if you’re on the way to worship at DSCC and come across an emergency situation where a person needs help, STOP! HELP! Your participation in a worship service after having neglected to help a person in distress would be not only hypocritical, it would be meaningless. Compassion is the catalyst to real ministry.
*APP>Unfortunately sometimes we forget that ministry is not just to those “out there,” to the nameless, faceless heathen in Africa, but to those right here, to those right in front of us. There are people lying on the road WE’RE traveling...and whether they know it or not they’re “half dead” and are in great need.
---ILL>In 1962 a deacon of First Baptist Church of New Orleans used to leave his house around 6pm every night to go and participate in the church’s outreach and visitation program. Each night for several weeks as he headed to visit folks in the name of the church, he noticed a young, thin man across the street from him. The young man always seemed to be somewhat sad and in deep thought as he smoked a cigarette on the front porch of the house he and his young foreign wife had rented that summer. The deacon made a note to himself that sometime he should go over and formally introduce himself. After all, the man looked like he needed a friend, someone he could talk to and would probably welcome some friendly attention from someone. But, the deacon had people to minister to way across town as part of the outreach ministry, so each week he waved to the young man and the young man returned the wave, but no real contact beyond that ensued. Later that year the young man moved from New Orleans and the deacon never took the opportunity to talk to him, realizing he’d probably never see him again. But he did see him...on television. His picture was displayed on every channel in November of 1963. It was only then that the deacon learned the name of the sad young man that might have responded to a word of friendship, maybe even to the gospel the summer before. The man’s name, he learned, was Lee Harvey Oswald, and now, it seems, he was in real trouble. Only a few days later he was killed by Jack Ruby, and the opportunity for the deacon to speak to him about the love of the Lord vanished forever.
Jesus’ love for us and the compassion He brings to life within us compels us to stop and minister to people when the opportunity presents itself...and many times that’s in the form of lending aid to them in a time of need.
2) COMPASSION IS BASED ON NEED, NOT WORTH.
-----*v.33-34--"But a certain Samaritan...came to him, and bandaged his wounds..."
<>Our compassion is to be driven not by the ascribed “worth” of the recipient, “worth” ascribed by our society or by other people’s judgments, but by the need of the person, and the fact that we’re called to minister to PEOPLE...regardless of whether they’re “one of our kind” or “acceptable” according to society’s standards.
---Regardless of whether a person is a Jew or a Samaritan, a guy or a girl, Baby Boomer or Buster, skater or farmer, white or black, rich or poor, moral or immoral, people have needs...and we have a mission to minister to people.
In the story Jesus was telling, the first two passersby, like Kitty Genovese’s neighbors, saw but did nothing else...they deliberately chose to leave the man in the condition he was in, deciding to not get involved.
---They viewed helping this man to be too big a burden.
---After all, the man was poor and couldn’t help their own cause any, so why offer help?
In contrast, the Samaritan came upon the man and recognized him as a man the world would consider his “enemy.”
---In fact, given the hatred that existed between the Jews and Samaritans, it would have been more likely, in most people’s thinking, that the Samaritan would go over to the man and “finish him off for good.”
However, the important thing to the Samaritan was that the man was not an enemy, but that he was a MAN, a man in serious need, and he stopped to help.
Today we call this story the Parable of the GOOD Samaritan. In fact, the phrase, “Good Samaritan” has become a part of our language. However, the words good and Samaritan were probably never uttered in the same sentence by the Jews of that day.
<>What we learn here is that true compassion, godly compassion, is based on the need of the person, not on the popularity or unpopularity of the recipient. True compassion is for the person, and it’s not important whether the person is a friend or a foe.
---ILL>Years ago I served as a youth minister at a large church in Kenner, Louisiana. Kenner is where the New Orleans International airport is, perhaps known more recently as the triage location of paramedics during the aftermath of the levees breaking in New Orleans and folks who were rescued were brought to the airport for medical attention and transfer to other cities. The church was only about 500 yards from the end of one of the main runways. Just a few years before I arrived to serve on staff there, the neighborhood immediately around the church site had experienced serious racial problems, severe enough that on the fateful day of the event I’m going to tell you about martial law had been evoked, and the whole area was on a curfew to try and curb the rioting and violence that had been going on for a few days. Then it happened. The second worst air crash in U.S. history up until that time occurred late in the afternoon. A 747 taking off from the airport was slammed full-force into the ground by a tremendous wind shear. The plane careened abruptly, part of the plane crashing into and taking out a part of the church’s wall on its way to crashing into three of the houses in the neighborhood, and bursting into flames. 260 passengers were on board, and in serious trouble. Hundreds of people in the neighborhood went to the scene and began helping women, children, and injured men off the plane. They formed assembly lines where they passed bodies from one to another along the line to help get as many people out in the shortest amount of time. Babies crying, people with their clothes on fire, screaming, some unconscious, etc., were pulled out of the plane, the neighbors working in tandem with each other because the need was so great. They managed to save hundreds of the passengers, spending more than an hour doing so. When they were done, they stopped and looked around. There had been no racial problems on the rescue line. In fact, a Cajun gentleman who hated Hispanics had handed bodies to a Hispanic young man. The Hispanic young man who hated African Americans had worked in tandem with some African Americans to rescue a child. An Anglo lady who hated Cajuns had joined some Cajun women in helping a mom locate her child, etc. Suddenly they realized that down deep inside, past the outer appearances, past the cultural idiosyncrasies, we are all human beings with similar needs, similar hurts, and similar values of life and love and family and protecting children.
They had participated in real ministry that afternoon....driven to it by compassion.
3) COMPASSION FEELS SOMETHING.
-----v.33--"...a Samaritan,...when he saw him, he felt compassion."
The Greek word for compassion, splanchnizomai, is a very vivid word, referring to the intestines, the bowels, in other words the uttermost center of a person’s being. In our time we would describe it as a “gut feeling” or something we feel with all our heart.
The Samaritan say the man lying in agony beside the road and his heart churned within him so he COULDN’T pass without helping.
---ILL>British financier and statesman, Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarship program, was a stickler for correct dress...but not at the expense of someone’s feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes’ home in his travel-stained clothing. Once he arrived he was chagrined to find that the other guests had already assembled and were wearing full evening dress. After a few minutes, Rhodes appeared in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old blue suit when he heard of the young man’s dilemma.
<>That’s what compassion does....it troubles us, it stirs us deep within until we do something.
4) COMPASSION DOES SOMETHING.
-----v.34--"and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him;"
There was no logical reason for the Samaritan to rearrange his plans or spend his money to help an “enemy” in need.
---In fact, of all the people who passed by this injured man, the Samaritan had the least reason to offer help.
---The Samaritan was considered a “lesser” person in his society, of very little worth if any at all, and his reputation in many people’s mind still wouldn’t change any after this event, no matter how wonderfully he responded.
But the Samaritan, moved by compassion, put compassion into action.
---By the way, that’s a pretty good definition of what ministry really is...compassion in action.
<>LOOK AT WHAT HE DID:
---a) He went to him.
----------He made the first move...he went to where the person in need was, not just inviting the person to come to where he himself was.
----------<>We must move toward people, move to where they are, to express compassion, to build relationships that can enable us to help even more.
----------He made the move even knowing it was possible his help would be rejected or misinterpreted, even though the person he was offering to help might not do the same for him if the circumstances were reversed, and even though his motives might be brought into question. Still, he moved and went to the man.
---b) He bandaged his wounds.
----------Sometimes helping can be uncomfortable, messy, even disturbing in some ways.
----------But compassion sets aside OUR comfort, and focuses on the help that is needed by the other person.
-------ILL>It’s why parents change dirty diapers, wipe snotty noses, sometimes wear spit-up on their nice clothes, and why they don’t hesitate to help their child whatever the need is...no matter how gross the situation, no matter how painful even.
---c) He poured oil and wine on his wounds.
----------Compassion / ministry leads us to make sacrifices.
----------The oil and wine belonged to the Samaritan. He had brought them along for his own needs on his journey.
---d) He put him on his own donkey.
----------That means the Samaritan walked instead of riding.
----------Ministry requires a willingness to serve, to sacrifice, to go “out of our way,” to give of ourselves for the benefit of another.
--------ILL>Our unloading and set-up crew does that for all the rest of us every Sunday...and they can use more helpers! They get here two hours before the service is to begin, and get all hot and sweaty every Sunday. They unload and wipe off chairs and sound equipment, run wires, set up video and lighting equipment, curtains, rugs, children’s rooms, instruments, screens, welcome center, printed materials, snacks, etc....so you and I can sit in the chairs and enjoy the worship experience. Meanwhile, their backs are sore, they’ve changed into a second shirt, and they do it week after week.
---e) He brought him to an inn.
-----------The man knew where his limits were, and he went to the get the man the help he would need.
-----------Sometimes we help people by finding for them the help we can’t provide ourselves...get them help beyond our capabilities.
-----------This man needed more than a donkey and some bandages...he needed rest, watchcare, food, and some financial assistance.
---f) He took care of him.
-----------Notice, HE took care of him...he personally saw to it that the man received help, and he personally stayed with him until he was out of urgent trouble.
----------Notice too, this wasn’t how the Samaritan had planned to spend his time on his journey, nor how he planned to spend his money on the trip, but he sacrificed and helped.
--------APP>In the weeks coming up, we’ll be examining ways we as a church can go and minister to people where they are.
------------People on OUR Jericho Road...people God leads us alongside to help...people who need to be ministered to.
Compassion not only does something, but...
5) COMPASSION COSTS SOMETHING.
-----v.35--And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ”Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.”
The Samaritan went the extra mile...took the man to an inn, saw to it that the innkeeper looked out for the victim.
----But he also promised he would return and full reimburse the innkeeper for any further expenses he incurred in caring for the man.
----And he left money to take care of the man’s needs, and put no limit on how much could be spent in caring for the man.
--------ILL>John Wesley was asked one time about his philosophy of ministering to others, and he responded: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”
<>If ministry didn’t cost anything we wouldn’t need a church budget...but ministry does cost something...and yet it’s worth the cost.
6) COMPASSION DEMONSTRATES A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
<>After telling the story, Jesus asked the lawyer a final question: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him who fell among thieves?”
---You can almost see the lawyer choking on his words here...he can’t even bring himself to say the word, “Samaritan,” so he just says, “the one who showed mercy on him.”
<>Then, for a second time, Jesus tells the man to do something: “Go and do likewise.”
-----APP>Jesus’ primary lesson in this story is this: When you have a true relationship with Jesus, it pours out on others.
---------------It leads you to help the helpless, love people regardless of who they are, regardless of what they’ve done.
<>A couple additional New Testament passages help us let this truth soak into our brains and affect our behavior:
-------1Jn3:16-18--“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
-------Ja.2:15-17--“If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself."
<>Compassion in action demonstrates whether we have a relationship with God or not.
BRINGING IT HOME...
Three Questions Today:
1) Do you know for sure whether or not you have received the gift of eternal life?
------Perhaps your question today is the same as the lawyer: “What must I do to obtain eternal life?”
---------The answer is not about doing good things and trying to earn it.
---------Instead, it’s the A-B-C on the front of today’s bulletin:
--------------A-dmit you’ve disobeyed God and stand in need of His forgiveness. Admit you can’t earn your way to heaven, and you’re unworthy to live there in that perfect place.
--------------B-elieve that Jesus, however, loves you so much that He came and offered His very life as a substitute for yours. He died in your place, He paid the price for your sins, and offers to you forgiveness, cleansing, and the gift of eternal life, all wrapped up in Himself. Believe that He is Who He says He is...the only way to the Father...the only begotten Son of the Father Who was sent to the world to be the sacrificial lamb, allowing His shed blood to be applied to your sin, and make you clean.
--------------C-ommit your life into His hands. Trust Him to save you in your desperation. Turn from your sinful actions and turn instead to God, allowing Him to be the Boss. the Lord, of your life from this day forward. Let go and let Him save you, cleanse you, and bring you into a personal relationship with Him, a relationship that is eternal.
------You see, salvation is matter of a relationship...a relationship that will result in compassion in action toward others.
2) Are you a good neighbor?
------It’s really NOT a “beautiful day in the neighborhood” for everybody. Some in our neighborhood are lying beside the road, beaten up and hurting.
------Do you feel the hurts around you?
------Are you doing something about it?
------Is it costing you anything to help others?
------Is it a natural response for you?...Coming out of a relationship with God?
3) Are you withholding help to someone?...because of something he/she did in the past, or because of some group he/she belongs to?
-----I urge you to not make the mistake of Kitty Genovese’s neighbors, and refuse to help.
-----I invite you to remember the story of the Good Samaritan...and then go and do likewise.
