29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 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. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 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. 35 The next day he took out two denarii,[a] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:29 – 37)

Jesus is continuing his journey towards Jerusalem, when a lawyer confronts him, asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” A lot of people today ask that question, and a lot of people have answers – but the question being asked is, essentially, what is the minimum requirement for heaven? It is, indeed, the wrong question. Nevertheless, Jesus answers with a question, “What does the law say?” And the man answers that the law tells him to love God and to love his neighbor. Jesus says that is the right answer, go and do it.

But the man is not satisfied, he wants a minimalist answer, he wants to justify himself. And so he says, “Who is my neighbor?” And Jesus tells the story we call “the Good Samaritan”. A man is injured by bandits on the road to Jericho. I’ll bet a lot of people in Jesus’ audience thought, “Well, anyone ought to have sense enough not to go down that road alone! He was just asking for it!” Do we think that when we see reports of someone hurt, robbed, or raped – they were in the wrong part of town; they were wearing the wrong clothes; they should have known better?

But there the man is, lying beside the road, naked and bleeding. The religious leaders, a priest and a levite, walk by on the other side – why should they help this man who had gotten himself into this mess? It would make them late; they would have to touch blood & that would make them unclean! No, better to ignore him, look the other way. Do we do that when we see a person who is homeless?

But one person stops, cares for the man, goes out of his way to take him to an inn, and pays the innkeeper for his care. Most, or all, of Jesus’ audience was Jewish; they hated Samaritans, thought they were heretics, that they worshipped the wrong God, or at least worshipped God the wrong way. But the hero in Jesus’ story is a Samaritan. For us, Jesus would have used a different example – possibly a Muslim.

And then Jesus returns to the question – but he does not answer what the lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Instead, he rewords the question to the lawyer, “Who was a neighbor to the man?” And so our question is, who do we treat as a neighbor? Who should we be treating as a neighbor? If we love God, who are we obliged to treat as a neighbor?

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:16 – 17)

Let’s go to the end of the passage we have been studying from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. In these verses, he is talking about filling our hearts with love for one another, with the word of Christ, and with gratitude.  We live into the Kingdom of God by living in gratitude for God’s love for us. This is the essence of life, and of eternal life.

When we have recognized that we truly are God’s beloved, we respond with love, and with gratitude. When we realize that God also loves, and chooses, others, we do not respond like jealous children, who say, “Momma and Daddy love you the best”, but we respond with love for those whom God loves, and gratitude for that love. Jealousy comes from the child’s assumption that their parents’ love is a limited commodity, and scarce. What is given to the sibling must be taken from them. But God’s love is unlimited, and unqualified. His love for others only magnifies his love for you, and me.

Some people will disagree with me on that – they will say that God’s love is only for people who believe a certain way, say certain words, or live by their rules. That is not how I read the Scripture – in the pages of the New Testament, I find that God sent his Son to save us all, “For God so loved the world, he sent his only Son”. Jesus came to save all humankind, and during his time on earth he was much more likely to be seen with the sinners and tax-collectors than with the religious rule makers and rule followers of his day.

As recipients of such unsurpassed, unlimited, amazing love – we should be living in daily gratitude! Jesus came to us, to show us God’s love for us! That is why we sing hymns! That is why we come together in worship! That is why we love him, and share that love with our neighbor! That is why, whatever we do, we should be able to do it in Jesus’ name, and we should do it with hearts filled with gratitude!

Questions for reflection:

1. What does it look like in your life to show your thankfulness to God and to Christ?
2. What is the difference between living in gratitude for God’s love and following the rules because you are supposed to?

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:12 – 17)

Let’s stay another day on this passage – “as those who have been chosen of God” – whatever does that mean? When I first felt God’s calling in my life, I thought I was special; God had called me, and that was a special thing. Over time, however, I came to realize that God calls each and every one of us. He just calls us to different things! First of all, God calls all of us to come to him, to experience his love. We Methodists call that “Prevenient Grace”, but it doesn’t really matter what you call it, so long as you know that it begins with God and we don’t have to earn it. We are all loved by God and called to experience that love.

But once we recognize God’s love, once our hearts are filled with it, then we have a responsibility, to love God’s other beloved people, and that includes everyone. Think about a much loved child; if that child has no responsibility to love his parents back, to behave in ways that show that he loves and respects them, he becomes a spoiled brat! If we sit back and think that God loves and favors us, to the exclusion of others, we are behaving like that spoiled child. It is our responsibility to share the love. We do that by being compassionate – caring for others who need a comforting word, a gift of food, a helping hand; by being kind – in your life today that may mean a generous tip for a waitress, a smile for a check-out clerk, avoiding a confrontation in traffic; by being humble – we are not “God’s favorite”, God loves every person, including that homeless man on the corner, that person picking ferns who may not have a green card, that mother who is having trouble finding food for her children; by being gentle and patient – look at your own family, are you gentle and patient with those who love you? This is what it means to recognize God’s love in our own lives; we then share it with others.

Sharing God’s love, living immersed in God’s love, is to live into the Kingdom of God, in the here and now. Most of us have not yet reached perfection in this, but can we just love others a little more today? and tomorrow? Can this be how we prepare our hearts for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection?

Questions for reflection:

1. Where can you be more compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient in the next few days?
2. How does your heart feel when you do that?

We began the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday yesterday. Lent is a season to prepare our hearts for Good Friday and for Easter, for crucifixion and resurrection. I intend to write on this blog about how we prepare our hearts during this season of Lent, leaving political comment behind for a season.

During the Ash Wednesday service, I was reminded of these words, “You are the Lord’s Beloved.” These words strike a special note in my heart; years ago, during a spiritual formation class with Rev. Dr. Steve Harper, we had a time of meditation in a lovely chapel in the woods. While we sat in those moments of peace, a song was playing softly – John Michael Talbot sang these words, “Because you are chosen, called to be holy, because you are the Lord’s Beloved.” The words, of course, come from scripture; this passage is Colossians 3:12 – 17.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

It struck me on that day, that I was indeed God’s Beloved, and I was reminded of that yesterday.  I would remind you that you, as well, are God’s chosen and beloved, called to God for a purpose. In this passage, Paul says the Colossians should “put on” a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. This heart is “put on” as a garment, considering each morning that this is what you will wear, who you will be. This would be a beautiful garment, a flowing silk of many colors, swirling about you in all life’s trials. But such a garment only works when it is tied together with a sash of love – love is the thing that binds us together, as a people chosen to do God’s work, as a people beloved by God, and yes, as individuals beloved by God.

The first step in preparation for Easter is to recognize God’s love for us, and to let that love swirl about us in love for others. Now, here are some questions for reflection:

1. Think about that phrase – “You are the Lord’s beloved” – how does that make you feel?
2. How do you “put on” a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, and gentleness?
3. What difference does this make in your life?

The Gospel of John gives us a more in-depth picture of a conversation between Jesus and the Roman governor, Pontius Pilot, than do the other gospels. In John 18, Pilate attempts to turn Jesus back over to his accusers, for trial according to temple law; they refuse, because they are “not permitted to put anyone to death”. How desperately the religious leaders wanted to be rid of this pesky rabbi who was stirring up the people, talking about loving their neighbor, threatening their positions! Pilot went back inside, and summoned Jesus to be brought to him, where he questioned him further. Finally, “Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?'” (John 18:37 -38)

In that same chapter, Peter had lied – denying three times that he even knew Jesus. Peter lied out of fear. The religious leaders of the Sanhedrin had brought in false witnesses, and then they had sworn to Pilate that Jesus was a dangerous criminal. In this passage where Pilate asks, “What is truth?” those who are the religious leaders have lied, to protect their positions, to remove this man whom they considered to be a threat. I suspect that Pilate knew this.

Pilate himself was a skilled soldier and politician – they were one and the same in much of the Roman empire. He recognized skewed truth and “alternative facts” when he heard them, knew when he was being manipulated by the religious leaders; he likely used falsehoods in his reports to Rome. He was eventually removed from office because his cruelty was stirring up the population against Rome. His question, then, is more than metaphysical; it is practical. What “truth” is it most politically expedient for him to act on, whether or not he believes it?

When we lie in our private relationships, we are valuing expediency over relationship. The relationship becomes less important than our “getting away” with something – think the teen-ager slipping out after curfew, then lying to her parents, or the spouse sneaking around and lying about it. The relationship is not what is important to these people, getting their own way is what is important. And we call that betrayal.

When we lie in public relationships, it is also a breach of trust, a betrayal. The religious leaders who handed Jesus over to Pilate were concerned about themselves – and betrayed their obligation to God and the people. When leaders lie to the people they are supposed to serve, it is betrayal.

Pilate knew about lying to maintain power – that is why he questioned. There are those in power today who lie to manipulate the people. When called out on the lie, they call it “alternative facts”, but it is still lying for expediency. There is, in other words, purpose behind the lies. They are meant to manipulate, to frighten. Make no mistake, lies by a political figure, be they on social media or in court, are a betrayal of the trust of the people.

Safety is a basic human need, right there at the base of Maslow’s hierarchy along with food, water, and shelter. Homeless people lack safety, and can be defensive as a result. Refugees have lost the safety of their homes and communities. Those parents would love to have their children safe, just as you and I want to keep our children safe.

But any parent knows that we must make judgments about how “safe” to keep our children. A child may skin her knees learning to ride a bicycle, but we generally consider that activity to have a good outcome and allow it. We cannot keep our children wrapped in bubble wrap and at home for all their lives!

We make judgments on the basis of our safety every day. We risk our safety when we get in our cars – I saw a bad wreck on I-4 as I was returning from Orlando today. Odd that I was thinking of this very thing as I drove over. Driving is probably the most dangerous thing most of us do; it is certainly more dangerous than flying on a commercial jet, yet we fear flying and don’t think twice about driving! Our safety fears are often based more on perception than reality.

As a society we do things to make our people safer. We have speed limits and seat belt laws. People screamed about those seat belt laws being an invasion of their rights, but now most accept them; and today there are laws being passed against texting while driving – to make us safer. We also pass regulations on businesses and manufacturers to make their workers safer, and to protect the safety of our children and grandchildren from chemicals and other damage to our environment. We had made progress in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, as our reliance on foreign oil was seen as a threat to the ultimate safety of our country.

Our values are also a part of decisions on safety – if we value God’s good creation we will make decisions that protect the environment. That also keeps us safer. Jesus gave us values related to the care of the stranger. Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? The Jews in Jesus’ audience at the time thought Samaritans were dangerous; but Jesus taught that they were neighbors. Are Muslims dangerous? A few, who adhere to ISIL likely are. Does that justify hating all Muslims? You might as well hate all white people because a few white people are dangerous! Most of the Islamaphobia in this country is manipulation – you are supposed to feel fearful; you are supposed to feel unsafe, because that benefits Mr. Bannon and Mr. Trump. You are being manipulated.

So – are you safer today than you were a week ago? Mr Trump has met with auto manufacturers to say basically that his administration will not enforce regulations – so all those protections for workers, and protections for your children’s earth? Gone! He also passed a ban on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries coming to this country, and a longer ban on refugees. Does that make you safer? No! ISIL uses that sort of discrimination to recruit against us. There were refugees who had undergone a four-year vetting process who were sent back to refugee camps where their children are not safe. Some of those families were sponsored by churches – that didn’t matter. They were sent back. Jesus closed the parable of the Good Samaritan with the question, “Who was the neighbor?” I ask you, “Who is your neighbor?”

I have been at a loss as to how to respond to the events of this week. I feel as if I have been somehow propelled into a dystopian nightmare of alternative reality, where evil is paraded as good and lies are told as “alternative facts”. I have had to go back to my purpose for this blog, and begin from there, how do we live as Christians in this world?

We live as Christians in this as in any time by living into the Kingdom of God. This is not just saying we’re Christian, or repeating some specific prayer, and expecting to go to heaven. The Kingdom of God is now. In Mark 1:14 – 15, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe the good news.” And in Luke 4, Jesus returned to Nazareth and went to the synagogue, where he read from the scroll of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. Has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He then said to those gathered there, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” When Jesus speaks of the Kingdom, he is not talking about going to heaven when you die! He is giving us the wonderful news that we can live into the Kingdom here and now!

What does it look like to live into the Kingdom of God, taking that to our time and place? It looks like Jesus said when he read from Isaiah, bringing good news to the poor – not further oppressing those with little, but caring for them, providing food for the hungry, a fair wage for the worker, health care for each one, education for children! It looks like release to the captives, letting the oppressed go free — respecting each person, man or woman or child regardless of skin color, culture, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or religion – welcoming the stranger, the refugee who has already lost everything. It does not look like blocking the entry of refugees and immigrants to our country so that we might have more profit, might, in our ignorance, feel safer. (No refugee or immigrant has committed an act of terror since 9/11, but people born here have.) It is loving our neighbor!

What living into the Kingdom does not look like are the edicts signed in the past 8 days! It is not blocking all Muslims from our shores, holding them indefinitely in our airports. It is not building walls. It is not insulting our neighbors. It is not fighting and lying about numbers. It is not canceling programs that benefit the poor and the disadvantaged and those who have been oppressed for generations. It is not sacrificing our environment, God’s beautiful creation, on the altar of greed, then telling people not to talk about it! If you think these things are just fine, I weep for you, for your God is not my God. My God loves you, and all these others who have been hurt by this week’s actions.  Jesus said, “For God so loved the world.” (John 3:16, just a portion)

A car in my neighborhood has a bumper sticker that says, “Jesus loves you, but I’m his favorite.” That the car also boasts a Trump sticker is not surprising. I imagine this person  means well, even thinks he is evangelizing because he has the name of Jesus on his car. But people who are not religious would be turned away, thinking that Christians are arrogant, ethnocentric, and selfish.

Some believe that wealth is a sign of God’s favor. You can see the “prosperity gospel” preached on TV and in some mega-churches, and two “prosperity gospel” preachers were invited to speak at Mr. Trump’s inauguration. You can  find support for it in certain Old Testament biblical passages . “Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD, who greatly delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses –.” (Psalm 112:1-3a) This would seem to support the idea that God blesses people with wealth, but read on and you will find that these people are also generous to the poor, merciful, just, and faithful. It is more that the wealthy have a responsibility than that they are favored.

More commonly scripture reveals that God’s favor goes to the poor, the stranger, and the outcasts. The prophets warned Israel and Judah of a loss of God’s favor due to their worship of idols and mistreatment of the poor. In the New Testament, Jesus called a rich young man, but he went away sad, because he could not give up his wealth. Jesus commented, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24) But Jesus did not give up on the wealthy; in Luke 19, Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector, climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus called him down and went to his home, where Zacchaeus stood and announced that he was giving half his possessions to the poor and paying back four times anything he had taken by fraud. Jesus said that salvation had come to that house that day. (Luke 19:1-10)

People gain wealth by any of a number of ways, some of which are legitimate and some of which are fraudulent. Wealth is not a measure of God’s favor, nor an indication of Christian values. God cares more about what you do with what you have, whether it is little or much. Do you feed the poor? care for the needy? dig wells in Africa? Or do you equip your private jet with gold-plated seat belts? The real measure of God’s favor is in Matthew 5: the blessed are not the haughty or the rich, but the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers.