Dramatic Introduction: ‘The Road to Jericho’ written by Arden and Peter Mead and published by the Creative Communications for the Parish, © 2004
In their comments on our main text, Arden and Peter Mead ask the question, ‘Where do you picture yourself in the story of the Good Samaritan? With what character (or characters) in that story do you identify?’ (1)
(2) Do you see yourself as…
The priest or Levite?
The robbers?
The innkeeper?
(3) What about….
The donkey?
The victim?
(4) This morning we walk ‘The Road to Jericho’ as we continue in our Lenten series, ‘The Lenten Road.’ We have asked the question of each road that we have traveled so far, (5) ‘What kind of a road is this road?’
(6) Most certainly because of situation the victim experiences we can say that this is a road of conflict. (6A) And there are three kinds of conflict here – there is the actual physical conflict in the robbery and battery of the hapless victim on the road. The second conflict is implied in the use of the Samaritan because the audience who hears this conversation knows that the Jews and the Samaritans do not like each other. But there is also another level of conflict here as well and it is one that Jesus brings out in His use of the Samaritan to make a very important spiritual point. It is tied into the second conflict, it is about our attitude toward those who we consider ‘different.’
Let’s examine this story from the start by going back to verse 25. We read, ‘One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
This story of conflict and mercy begins with a question. In fact all good stories begin with some kind of question. The question that prompts this story is about the conditions for ‘eternal life.’ ‘What must I do to receive eternal life?’
As He often does, Jesus comes back with a question that forces the questioner to look at his ‘Bible,’ his sacred writings which in this case is ‘the Law of Moses.’ ‘What does the law of Moses say?’ asks Jesus.
Well, the questioner, who already knows what it says, cites what we now call ‘the Great Commandment.’ ‘The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Jesus goes on to affirm His answer by telling him “Right! Do this and you will live!”
Now, we know from Luke’s words at the beginning of our text, ‘an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus,’ that he had an agenda with his question and would be looking for an opening in which to trap him or get a ‘dig’ into to him.
In my mind’s eye, I see a slow smile come across his face as he gets prepared to try and justify himself (as Luke states in verse 29) as he springs the trap. ‘Who is my neighbor?’
Could there have been a snarl in his voice? Perhaps. Could there have been a slyness to it? Maybe.
But he asks the question and Jesus begins to tell the story of a ‘scab’ who shows mercy. (‘Scabs’ I would remind us is the term that is used for non-union workers used to fill jobs by usually striking union workers.) I wonder what Jesus’ tone of voice was in telling this story. Did He tell it with a straight face? Was He laughing internally at this ‘religious expert?’
Or was His tone of voice somewhat somber and sober? Or did He tell it with the proper emphasis at the proper time?
We don’t know how Jesus told the story but we do note that Jesus made His point because we can almost see the ‘tester’s’ facial expression changing before our eyes as Jesus, through His story, points out the failure of not one but two colleagues (the priest and the Levite) to show mercy when the Law required it and then has someone considered a ‘scab’ be an example of mercy.
Jesus did a lot with ‘scabs.’ He loved them, He called them to repentance and change, but He cared for them. They were just as capable of mercy as the ‘religious professionals.’
Who are the ‘scabs’ of our day? Who are those people that we have written off as unacceptable? Those who come from a different county, culture, and language and live next door? Those who see marriage in a different way than we do? Those who are of a different political persuasion than ours? (By the way, I would have us remember that Christians are considered by others to be ‘scabs.’)
The question rings hard in the learned man’s ears, “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. He could only say ‘The one who showed him mercy.’
While this road is profoundly a road of conflict, (6A) it is also a road of mercy. The Mead’s ask, ‘Does Jesus become the good Samaritan?’
Stop to think about it for a moment. It makes sense when you consider what the Samaritan did for the victim. He bandaged his wounds, he got him out of danger, he took him to a safe place, and he provided for his needs during recovery without demanding a cent for his services.
Has not Jesus done the same for us? He has rescued us from the damage of sin. He has delivered us from an unsafe life in which sin has done a terrible thing. He has brought us the safely and power of forgiveness of sin, and He did this without asking for a cent from us.
This morning we are reminded with communion just how costly Jesus’ mercy was for us. He gave everything, including His own life for us.
I conclude this morning with the words of the prophet Isaiah who speaks of the hoped for Messiah who would suffer for us. Isaiah 53 beginning at verse 2, ‘My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins—that he was suffering their punishment?
He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s plan will prosper in his hands.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.
I see Jesus beside road, not The Jericho Road, but another road, (7) the Road to Calvary, and He is hanging there, beaten and bloodied beyond recognition. He was robbed of His dignity and innocence, of His very life. But He showed mercy in those agonizing moments. “Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing.”
(8) As we prepare for communion, I would have each of us focus on the power and need of mercy in our lives. We have been both victims and perpetrators of sin and we need God’s mercy and forgiveness to change us into Samaritans, ‘scabs’ who will show grace and mercy to those we find in need along the paths of our daily lives. Amen.
Sources: Reed quotes are from ‘The Lenten Road’ resources published by Creative Communications for the Parish © 2004
Power Points for this sermon are available by e-mailing me at pastorjim46755@yahoo.com and asking for ‘040206svgs’ Please note that all slides may not be available for a particular presentation.
