Over the last several weeks I have had these verses from circulating around in my head:
– Matthew 22:21 “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”
– Matthew 22:36-39 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first commandment. ‘And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
These scriptures have been orbiting around a heart-felt concern of mine for the rise of what I see as a use of Christianity as a weapon under the guise that America is a “Christian” nation that needs laws to protect “Christians” and what are perceived as their rights above others. This seems to be driven by an attitude that Christians are more important citizens. Despite even Jesus saying to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, we are seeing more and more attempts to blur the line between church and state. We are seeing politicians using policies or talk of submitting policies as a means of winning votes by playing upon the fears and desires of this camp of people. It feels like this is a worship of the God of the Old Testament who would smite his enemies to advance his people. None of this feels like the Christ I worship. Jesus was not American. Jesus was not white. Jesus was not a king on a stallion bearing a sword. Yet this movement seems to want to promote all of those things. It is a movement of power, not of love.
Our country is truly a melting pot. I think there is probably more diversity now than at any time in the past. In part because people who may have been forced to hide their true selves 50 years ago don’t have to do that anymore. In this context, churches are struggling to find relevancy in our society. I honestly think we did it to ourselves. So many of the religious fail to see the value in the diversity and only see it as a threat. The condemnation and judgement hoisted upon any who don’t look or believe exactly like whichever denomination aren’t exactly attractive to those seeking to know God. This leads into the second scripture and begs the question, “Who is my neighbor?”
This past Sunday, Pastor Leon delivered a moving sermon on exactly this subject. Using the text from Luke 10:25-37 and the telling of the story of the good Samaritan, he made a couple of significant points to define who is our neighbor.
First, our neighbor is anyone in our path. This includes your family, your work group, your church family, your friends, and the people that live around you. It also includes the people in line with you at Walmart, the people you yell at for driving too slowly, the people you write negative comments about on social media, the people you see and look down upon. Many of these are not people you would pick to be your neighbors, but they are just the same. Do you love them as yourself?
The second point Pastor Leon made what that our neighbors are those in need. The Samaritan did not hesitate to stop and, not only get the Jewish man medical attention, but also paid for his recuperation and promised to pay more if what he initially gave didn’t cover the bill. He didn’t pause to decide if the injured man was worthy of his kindness or his generosity or his love or his compassion. Jesus tells us we are to follow the example of the Samaritan and show mercy to all of those in need. How often do we instead blame them for their situation or kick them when they are already down?
Pastor Leon’s message was condemning and encouragingall at the same time. I have failed to recognize my neighbor many times. I have failed to love them as myself. I have failed to show mercy to those in need. Thankfully Jesus continues to remove the covers from my eyes to see more clearly. Our nation needs to start removing the covers from her eyes as well. True followers of Christ must try to squelch the false prophets screaming that their religion is the only true American religion to the detriment of so many others. We must continue to reinforce that every person on this planet is a child of God that deserves to be shown the love and mercy Jesus has bestowed upon us. Loving all of our neighbors as ourselves won’t be easy. In fact, many times it might be the most difficult thing we do on any given day. Our instinct might be to put conditions on who the neighbor is or which ones we will help. God’s commandments are clear, however.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
And love your neighbor as yourself.
Discovering Grace 