Just A-Swingin'

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And 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 answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, 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, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37 ESV). A city councilman in Erie, Pennsylvania has identified an important issue. He thinks something should be done about it. His proposed remedy won’t work. Jim Casey thinks a relationship with one’s neighbors is important. On his view, television, computers, and other devices that tend to close us in our houses or apartments have made neighborliness obsolete for many people. Security, civility, and quality of life would be enhanced if people got to know each other. So Casey put an idea before the Erie City Council to study whether it should require all new homes in that city to be built with front porches. “We need to get out and meet our neighbors,” he said. “If porches can help us get back to that good quality of living, then good.” I can just see it now – everyone in Erie, just a-swingin’ on their front porches! It would be great if it was that simple, wouldn’t it? But front porches don’t change people’s hearts. It takes a lot more than that! This is the point of Jesus’ teaching in our reading this morning. The point of the parable is that a basic flaw in the fallen nature of man is a lack of respect for one another. According to Jesus, the way to love your neighbor is to take a risk, extend a hand, and do something positive in the life of a person outside your customary circle of friends. In your neighborhood, workplace, or church, you know who and where “they” are. This week is your chance to approach just one. There’s someone waiting for you to be a “Good Samaritan” to today. Find them and help them!