Chris Howlett

Who Is My Neighbor?

Read Luke 10:25-37.

Lawyers ask a lot of questions. I guess it's their job and they get good at it. The lawyer who approached Jesus used questions to try to "justify himself," I think what Luke means is that he was trying to figure out how to conform the Scripture to fit his life, rather than conforming his life to fit the Scripture.

Jesus, being a good teacher, answers the lawyer's questions with a question of his own and then a story with a poignant application.

When asked how to inherit eternal life, Jesus asks the lawyer what the Law says. The lawyer gives a good answer: Love God, Love Neighbor. Jesus commends him. Then, the lawyer asks, "Who is my neighbor?"

Was he looking for clarification? Luke says he was trying to justify himself. I really don't think he wanted to hear the answer Jesus gives. I'm not sure I do, either.

Jesus basically says my neighbor is the least likely person I would pick to show my love. The person at the bottom of my list of people worthy of respect and honor, that person is my neighbor. Not the person I like, not the one who looks like me, thinks like me, patronizes the same establishments I do... oh, they're included in "neighbor," but the one I missed, the one I don't want to love, that's my real neighbor. That's who God says to me, love the same way I love myself.

Jesus tells a story and makes the Samaritan, a mixed-breed, heretical race of people, the hero. He's the one who acted like a neighbor. He went out of his way to bless someone who would naturally have hated him.

Then Jesus rubs salt in the wound by saying to the lawyer, "Oh, by the way, you go and do the same thing. It is eternal life your after, right? Then start by bringing some eternity into this life by acting like you belong to the God who created all and loves all."

Ouch. If Jesus doesn't challenge my most dearly held beliefs and ethics, then I'm not sure I have actually encountered the real Jesus, the Jesus of Luke 10:25-37.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I posted this last year, thought it was worth re-posting.

Mom... thanks!

Thanks for loving me, even when I was unloveable.

Thanks for raising me in the way I should go.

Thanks for taking me to church.

Thanks for showing me the meaning of grace.

Thanks for being a stay-at-home mom when we could have probably used the money from you working outside of the home. Having you home was worth it to me!

Thanks for teaching me what hard work means.

Thanks for encouraging me to be me.

Thanks for buying my artwork when I was about 10. I didn't become an artist, but it made me feel good, anyway.

Thanks for having a sense of humor.

Thanks for teaching me the value of an education.

Thanks for showing me what service to others is.

Thanks for loving my Dad and being committed to your marriage. That's made my marriage better!
Thanks for having my siblings. They're great! Even if Kenny and I used to fight like cats and dogs.
Thanks for attending all my soccer games when I was a kid. I mean... all of them! I know you probably weren't in love with soccer, but you showed your love for me.
Thanks for making Swiss Steak.
Thanks for reading to me.
Thanks for giving me the gift of life.
But most of all, thanks for giving me the gift of you!

I love you! Have a great Mother's Day!

Juxtaposing Pride and Grace

Read Luke 7:36-50.

Jesus visits Simon's house as his guest. Simon was a Pharisee, so right off the bat our interest is heightened because Jesus doesn't make a regular practice out of eating with his most serious critics. Pharisees, religious leaders of Jesus' day who become even more central to Jewish thinking after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, were particularly critical of Jesus and his mission.

To many of the Pharisees, who were hoping for a political Messiah to deliver the nation from pagan oppression, the reason for Israel's plight were people who did not observe Torah appropriately. Certainly this party crasher, this woman who was anointing Jesus' feet, was part of the problem. She not only did not keep the Torah, but she had thumbed her nose at it. She was known to be a notorious sinner.

I wonder what it was like to be Simon, to be called out by one of your dinner guests? Jesus would probably not fit in with civil society any better today than he did then. He just wasn't polite enough.

This woman, overwhelmed by the grace offered to her through Jesus' ministry, makes this extravagant gesture of love toward Jesus. The religious folks freak out and Jesus reminds them that the one who has been forgiven much is quite thankful, but those who are forgiven little, aren't so impressed by grace.

Of course, Jesus doesn't mention the sin of spiritual pride. He simply implies it.

Don't let spiritual pride get in the way of grace. We are all notorious sinners. Our sinning might not be as public as this woman's, but we could join her in anointing Jesus' feet with our tears of thanksgiving, acknowledging that his grace is our only hope.