But Islamic ethics implies that there is no obligation to help a person whose unwise choices and behavior has put them in need. They felt that orphans and widows and others in need through no fault of their own deserve compassion. ![]() The Muslim participants startled the Christians when they explained that their religion places limits on compassion for others. The Christian participants had been taught by Jesus that love should be indiscriminate and conditioned on nothing other than the wounded man’s need. While there he noticed a critical difference between the Christian and Muslim understanding of love, compassion and mercy. In 2008 the chief editor of Christianity Today Magazine attended the “Loving God and Neighbor Together” dialogue between Christians and Muslims held at Yale University. As “Semi-Good” Samaritans we are willing to be “Good Samaritans” in certain circumstances. Sometimes I think most Christians fall into the category of the “Semi-Good” Samaritan. What does it mean to be a “Semi-Good” Samaritan? It would probably be more accurate to refer to them as a “Bad” Priest and a “Bad” Levite.ī. They were not Samaritans but we think of them as “Bad” Samaritans because they chose to not lend assistance to a person in desperate need. However the implication is, they should have helped the victim who was presumably Jewish by race and religion. They both saw the man lying in the ditch, ignored him and continued on their journey. They are both Jewish and they are both religious. One man was a priest and the other a Levite. In our story there are two individuals who ignored the wounded victim lying in the ditch. What does it mean to be a “Bad” Samaritan? I would like to unpack that story this morning by examining the characters in the story.Ī. The story of the Good Samaritan ranks among the most memorable of his teaching. ![]() They were living just as Jesus lived and adhering closely to the things he taught. There was no mistaking who those people were and whose teachings they followed. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35 The way they practiced their faith was radical and boggles our minds. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had… there were no needy persons among them. In Acts 4 it says, “All the believers were of one heart and mind. Their lives were characterized by loving kindness and generosity. Certainly the dramatic and miraculous signs and wonders were attention getting.īut for me, the most amazing thing about the first followers of Christ was the change in the lives of the followers of Christ. ![]() Some would say that the most amazing thing about the first followers of Jesus Christ were the signs and wonders… the miracles of healing and the exorcism of spirits. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” I John 2:3-6 ![]() But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. The man who says, “I know God,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The bible says, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. In other words, the more we know about God and the more we know God, that knowledge produces the likeness of God in us. However, despite my cynicism, one of the most profound teachings in scripture is this: What we do, i.e., action, is the measure of our spiritual maturity and knowledge of God. Despite my desire to be altruistic with an absolutely unselfish regard for the welfare of others – the years have taught me that not everyone who says they are in need, is in need. I do not want to begin this talk with a disclaimer but I feel I must. Thesis: Every follower of Christ is called to be a “Good” Samaritan.
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