Proper 10 Yr C
Hard words

Introduction

At the Spurgeon Center,  an article points to three purposes for a plumbline: it is used in construction; it is used to test what has been constructed; it is used to destroy what has been constructed. Such an interesting image from the Prophet Amos. In this passage, however, God is clear. God has given instruction on what are God's expectations for Israelites' (and now our) behavior, with the plumbline showing the "straight and narrow". It is the plumbline then that God uses to evaluate how God's people have measured up to instructions. Since the plumbline hangs straight, there is no question when deviation is apparent—leaning here, or there, or both. And so God will use the plumbline to say what needs to be corrected, or straightened, to re-align with God's purposes. The path is clearly punctuated by Psalm 82. 

A similar result is clear from reading Track 2 scripture in which Moses says, "You know what to do. God is within you—in your hands, on your lips." The associated Psalm affirms the concept by almost saying, "Look at me, Lord. I did what you wanted."

In Colossians, it appears that Paul is affirming the new Christians behavior: You've got this. You've demonstrated your understanding and love for God, Jesus, and their teaching. So does the gospel confirm or veer off, that is, not in plumb with the rest of the scripture?

In response to the question of "what must I do to be saved?", Jesus apparently outlines what God had outlined in Amos: You must do what God has instructed. This is clearly to love God but also to love your neighbor as yourself. The inquiring man says to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" I have to admit that, each time I read this, I think of Fred Rogers and the lyrics to his "Won't you be my neighbor?", the broad and expansive definition of a neighbor. In our world, it's pretty hard for us to nail down, isn't it? 

How does one measure "neighbor"? From the gospel, it is clearly not only one of my countrymen. It is also not only one of my religion. It seems to me to hark back to what Jesus said in our scriptures a few Sundays back: "Love". No ifs, ands, or buts. No conditions. No strings. When we encounter one with a need, our love overtakes everything else. There are some days when I have difficulty loving others and what they are doing. I am comforted knowing that I can "love the sinner; hate the sin" (attributed to St Augustine of Hippo and/or Gandhi). Comments welcome.

Postscript: Please note the "Samaritan" image by Moritz Schutz. I am intrigued by it but have not yet found a story about it. It seems to depict the injured man and good samaritan in World War I clothing. If you find a story to go with it, please send it along to FaithatHome2020@gmail.com. 

Luke 10:25-37

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."

From sermon4kids.com: “Jesus has told us to love our neighbor. If you have trouble knowing who your neighbor is, just remember the story of "Horton Hears a Who!" and the story of the Good Samaritan—then you will know that every person is your neighbor and "A neighbor's a neighbor, no matter how small!" "