Welcome to the Neighborhood
Luke 10:29-37
March 2, 2003
Introduction
A plain sweater, white canvass sneakers, a warm smile and a simple song welcomed us every day to Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Fred Rogers became a PBS legend. This past week Fred Rogers passed away but his work will live on because he did his best to be the kind of person that every child would want for their neighbor.
As a child I watched Mr. Rogers and as a parent I watched it with Abigail. Over the years not much changed with the show; it was the same house, the same trolley to take you to a world of make believe, the same puppets and the same opening song. Every episode Mr. Rogers always asked the same question in his song: “Would you like to be my neighbor?”
This morning I want to look at a familiar story and a similar question.
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. `Look after him,’ he said, `and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Keys to Living in the “Neighborhood”
I. Stop ignoring people in pain
A. The traveler was injured
The traveler was attacked while going to Jerusalem. The attack left the traveler robber with no money, stripped with no clothing and beaten with severe injuries. There can be no doubt that the traveler was in a great deal of pain.
B. The pain of our world
We are surrounded by a great deal of pain. If you doubt me, take a good look around on your way out of town this morning. Everywhere you look in our society people are plagued with pain. Some are struck with injuries or illnesses that place them in physical pain. Some are dealing with stigma and scars of emotional pain. Some are living in the darkness and despair of spiritual pain. The mission of the church is to reach out to those in pain. Our purpose is to reach out with hope and healing to a hurting world. Our purpose is to reach out with the love of Christ.
II. Start getting involved
A. The traveler was in need of compassion
The traveler was robbed, stripped, beaten and left for dead. He most definitely needed someone to have compassion on him.
The priest saw the man and went on by. How amazing that a man who was to work for the welfare of people ignored this man in need. His focus was more on the duty of religion than on devotion to God
The Levite approached the man but decided not to act. No reason is given for the man’s inaction but it could be as a result of fear. The thieves could still be nearby and he could be their next victim. If other people passed by the Levite might be blamed for the attack. Perhaps assisting the man was too much trouble and the Levite continued on his way.
B. Christ acted with compassion
Christ sets a model for active compassion for us to follow. We see brilliant examples of Christ’s compassion throughout the gospels but none were so definite than His plea for the forgiveness of those who had crucified Him. Everywhere that Jesus went He showed compassion on everyone, even those who rejected Him. “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) Jesus showed compassion on those who needed it most. He ate with tax collectors. He touched lepers to heal them. He openly associated with sinners. He openly loved people.
We are to also show an active compassion. We are to follow the example set by Christ. We are to show mercy and compassion on those who are hurting and helpless. We are to reach out to this hurting world. We have been called to go and make a difference.
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:17
III. Show intensive caring
A. The traveler needed intensive caring
The Samaritan showed sympathy
The Samaritan reached out to this man when no one else would do so. He went out of his way to help this total stranger knowing that his help might be a source of tension to the traveler. Jews despised Samaritans because of their race and religion.
The Samaritan showed support
The Samaritan could have done just enough to get the man some help. However, we see the Samaritan going the extra mile for this complete stranger. He bandaged the travelers wounds and used oil and wine, from his own goods, to clean these wounds. The Samaritan showed great support to this wounded man.
The Samaritan showed sacrifice
The Samaritan placed the traveler on his own donkey and sacrificed his personal comfort to help the wounded man. The Samaritan also provided a room for this man so he could have a place to rest and recover from his injuries. This was complete room and board, so that, all of the traveler’s needs were met.
The Samaritan personally cared for the man and nursed him back to a better point of health. This took a great deal of time and energy to care for this stranger.
The Samaritan paid the innkeeper with two silver coins. This may not sound like very much but it would have paid for 24 to 48 days of both room and board for the injured traveler with the promise of additional payment if more time was required. The Samaritan did all that he could to help the injured traveler.
B. Christ calls us to care for a dying world
The simple fact is that it will take expense and effort to reach the world around us. Expense comes when we use our financial resources to reach out but money simply will not do the job alone. Effort comes when we use our people power to reach out to our community. Think about this for just a moment; what would happen if every person here gave 1 hour per month to outreach events. This church would have a dramatic impact on this community.
We are called to care for people on three key levels:
Physical: We can easily understand the physical needs of people. This is providing the solid needs of people such as food, clothing and such to people who are in need.
Emotional: This is one of the most difficult areas for the church to understand and create ministries to meet these needs. Emotional needs require special training and extreme compassion in action. We can help meet these needs by creating support groups and counseling opportunities for those who are in emotional need.
Spiritual: This is the key purpose of the church, we are here to meet the spiritual needs of the world. We need to understand that it is impossible for a church to meet spiritual needs without meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of people. We see this time and again in the ministry of Jesus. The simple reality is that every person has spiritual needs and we have the answer to their problems. We need to meet the spiritual needs of people by showing them the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Jesus issued a strong challenge to those who hear this parable; go and do likewise. The words of Jesus are as valid today as they were 2000 years ago. Jesus is still calling us to go and do likewise. Now is the time to rise and respond to the challenge.
Who is your neighbor?
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 "They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 "He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Anyone who is in need is your neighbor. Welcome to the neighborhood!
