SURPRISING EXAMPLES

 

      I think that occasionally, maybe more times than we realize, Jesus will push us to look beyond our familiar boundaries. Sometimes he will cause us to look beyond our circle of friends, our small groups, and the congregations who gather each Sunday in our churches. Jesus then focuses our attention on the persons who live on the margins of our somewhat exclusive world, those on the outside of our normal mindset, and in a surprising move, uses one of “them” as an example for us.

      That is just the way Jesus operates, one way in which he reveals his purpose for us. And at the same time, it is Jesus’ way to remind us that he is Lord over all things and that his kingdom extends beyond the boundaries we have created, even beyond the boundaries of the church.

      The Gospels of Luke and John give us three of these surprising examples, which come from persons outside of the comfort of the “church.” All three of these examples given by Jesus involved Samaritans, who were definitely on the margins of Jewish culture and religious life.

      Luke gives us the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus told in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” A traveler had been robbed, beaten, and left to die out on a deserted road. Soon, a priest and a church member walked by, but chose to ignore the desperate man’s needs. But Jesus tells us that a Samaritan, an outsider, came by and “had compassion” by providing complete care.

      John, in chapter four of his Gospel, tells a story of Jesus going out of his way to pass through the “out of bounds” territory of the Samaritans. There he meets a woman at a well, who accepts Jesus’ offer of living water and eternal life. A revival breaks out in an unlikely place because Jesus used an outsider to tell the “good news.”

      The next story again comes from Luke. Jesus chose once more to go through Samaria, and there he met ten lepers who begged for healing. All ten were healed, but only one came back to Jesus and gave thanks. Luke said that the one who came back was a Samaritan, an outsider. 

      The Good Samaritan becomes the practical example of how we are to “love others as our selves.” Jesus used the sinful woman at the well to show us how we can be transformed into powerful witnesses for him. And the one grateful leper who came back to thank Jesus is our example of how our thankfulness should overflow into worship.

      I wonder what the disciples thought when Jesus used one example after another of people from the “margins” to teach God’s way. Were they as surprised as we are today when Jesus does the same to us? How often are we surprised when God shows up by focusing our attention toward someone outside our “boundaries,” using that person as an example for our good?

      Sometimes “outsiders” remind us of the purpose of the church. They should remind us of God’s mission to all people wherever they may be found. And just maybe, we can remember that at one time we too were “outsiders,” yet someone came to us.

      As the early disciples were sent forth to witness, Jesus used Samaritans to witness to his own disciples. As we go forth into our world, let us be expectant and eager for Jesus to teach us in the same way. Let us not be surprised when Jesus uses “outsiders” from unexpected places to teach us powerful lessons.

Rev. Tim McConnell, Long’s Chapel UMC, November 3, 2013