[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during May 2021]
Every time we look at a passage of Scripture, prayerfully and with a mind open to the Holy Spirit, we have the possibility to see fresh facets; interpretations and implications that, to us at least, appear new. Sometimes they sparkle, sometimes we have to work a bit to see them and sometimes they are pointed out to us by others. This reflection contains elements of all three.
Recently, I heard a talk based on the parable of the good Samaritan[1]. The presenter drew out several points that maybe we had not noticed previously, one being that the lawyer was asking the right questions, but for the wrong reason – indeed, the text tells us that he wanted to test Jesus.
This raises the matter of motivation. Why do we ask questions? Is it to increase our knowledge or is it to put the respondent on the spot? When we ask “How are you?”, are we actually interested in the answer? After Jesus levelled the score the lawyer thought that he should have another shot, so he asked “Who is my neighbour?” The answer that Jesus gave was much more than our usual understanding of the word.
Your neighbour is not just someone with whom you compete for a parking space or whose cat leaves deposits in your flower bed. Your neighbour is not even someone who takes in your parcel whilst you are out or trims your hedge when you are ill. Jesus redefined neighbour on the basis of need and the willingness to help.
Philanthropy needs resources. Time and money. We might think that maybe the priest was penniless and the Levite was late for an appointment, but that would be to excuse their indifference. By contrast, the Samaritan was willing to risk himself and his resources. It is interesting that Jesus did not make any comments about what motivated these three men but simply left history to judge them. How will history judge your actions?
The gospel of Matthew records the parable of the generous employer[2]. He went out one morning and hired some labourers to work his land; he agreed to pay the going rate for a full day’s work. At various intervals during the day he engaged more workers and sent them to join his earlier group. At the end of the day he paid them all the same, the full rate for the day.
Most of us, having seen ‘johnny come lately’ being treated with such generosity would have expected some kind of added bonus for our length of service and loyalty, and complained when that didn’t happen. From a Western perspective, we might ask whether the employer was wise to upset the economics of the labour market, but such a question misses the point of the parable. This employer treated the workers on the basis of their need rather than their expectations.
Salvation is based on our need, not on our expectations of a reward for effort or endeavour. That’s just as well since our efforts will never meet the required standard. Or, as the apostle Paul wrote:
“all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God” [Romans 3 v23 AMP]
[1] The good Samaritan, Luke 10 v25-37
[2] The generous employer, Matthew 20 v1-16
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
Thanks Steve, ‘the basis of their need’ had not occured to me in 56 years! Well done.
Thanks Graham, that was one of the elements that grew from a seed planted by someone else.
As I hinted, the employer might find that fewer people are willing to do a full day’s work if they think they can get paid the same for less effort.
BTW, thank you for trimming the hedge, albeit 11 years ago!