WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.839 In ninth grade, I picked up the sport of lacrosse. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:29.359 If you've never played lacrosse, it's a sport where they run around looking like hockey players 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:32.140 on a field with helmets and gloves like that. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:36.979 But instead of the ball being on the ground, it's in the air and you have these sticks that 00:00:36.979 --> 00:00:40.780 are about yay long that have these nets on the top, kind of baskets, and you throw it 00:00:40.780 --> 00:00:41.259 back and forth. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:46.739 If you've never seen it, it's a great sport and totally worth learning. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:48.700 By the way, the Yale team is actually quite good. 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:49.659 You should go check them out. 00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:52.159 They competed, won the national championship. 00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:54.260 Anyway, they're worth seeing for sure. 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:57.620 Anyway, lacrosse is a great sport. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:06.640 And but as I learned lacrosse, one of the joys and trials that I had in it was learning 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:14.459 the basics because the mechanics of catching and throwing a ball out of a basket at the 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:16.500 end of a stick is not easy. 00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:19.219 I had a coach. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:27.460 I remember his name to this day, Ridge Diven, and he would make us drill incessantly. 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:33.899 We started our spring season in November inside the gym after basketball practice, running 00:01:33.899 --> 00:01:39.280 back and forth, passing the ball, learning the basics, getting the bottom hand down so 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:44.799 that your stick was up and down, learning how to properly throw and catch, learning the 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:49.000 basics over and over and over again until it was painful. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:58.840 It was grueling to do that day after day, week after week, month after month. 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:03.500 And if we didn't do it right, he had a signature move. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:04.980 He would do this. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:07.480 Do you know what that means? 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:09.039 Take a lap. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:12.759 If you didn't do it right, take a lap. 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:16.719 He would drill into us. 00:02:16.900 --> 00:02:24.219 Doing the basics well was exactly what we needed, and yet it was the hardest thing to do. 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:30.239 And I think that's true in the Christian life as well. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:38.560 It is the basics that are the things we most need to do, and they are the things that are the hardest as well. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:41.000 We're going to look at a passage this morning. 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:42.560 Jesus is going to say, what is it? 00:02:43.080 --> 00:02:44.280 What do we have to do? 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:46.120 What does it mean to follow Jesus? 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:47.939 Well, love God and love your neighbor. 00:02:48.140 --> 00:02:49.500 That's pretty well known. 00:02:49.600 --> 00:02:50.680 Everybody knows that. 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:58.400 It's so simple, and yet how easy it is for us to lose sight of these as the basics. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:08.200 And how difficult we actually find it to be to do when we actually try to make them to be the right thing. 00:03:09.140 --> 00:03:16.840 I think we often as Christians delude ourselves to think that we are doing better than we actually are in these basics. 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:20.180 And this brings us to our passage this morning. 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:25.379 We are in Luke chapter 10, starting in verse 25 in your pew Bibles. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:28.020 That's page 816. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:38.520 And we are continuing our series that Greg began last week on being with Jesus on the road of discipleship. 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:43.980 Discipleship is one of those words that church people throw around. 00:03:44.140 --> 00:03:46.259 It's not necessarily used in other contexts. 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:50.719 But a disciple is simply someone who is a learner and a follower. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:55.500 That is someone who listens to the words of a leader or a teacher. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:04:01.639 And then who also follows those words and emulates the life of that leader. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:04.579 That's basically what a disciple is broadly. 00:04:05.539 --> 00:04:08.639 And it is what Jesus is doing in this section of Luke. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:11.579 In chapter 9, verse 51, it says, 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:16.220 And Jesus set his face to Jerusalem, which means that he was turning to the cross. 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:19.319 He was heading for his crucifixion and his death. 00:04:20.520 --> 00:04:25.780 And during this whole section from 951 all the way to chapter 19, 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:32.939 Luke records this series of events where Jesus is teaching his disciples and displaying to the world, 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:35.379 what does it mean to be a disciple? 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:40.839 What does it mean to follow Jesus in these ways? 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:45.680 So that's what we're going to look at this morning for a few minutes. 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:50.839 We're going to read the passage and then we'll pray together and then we'll dive in. 00:04:52.540 --> 00:04:56.040 So Luke chapter 10, verse 25. 00:04:56.040 --> 00:05:14.160 And he answered, 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:19.920 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:23.860 and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:25.980 And he said to him, 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:27.199 You have answered correctly. 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:29.660 Do this and you will live. 00:05:31.460 --> 00:05:35.860 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, 00:05:36.460 --> 00:05:38.480 And who is my neighbor? 00:05:39.840 --> 00:05:41.240 And Jesus replied, 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:47.120 A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and he fell among robbers 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:51.740 who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:58.780 Now by chance a priest was going down that road and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:06.120 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:11.680 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:14.620 And when he saw him, he had compassion. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:19.860 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:25.180 Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 00:06:25.840 --> 00:06:30.939 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:35.980 Take care of him and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back. 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:44.140 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? 00:06:45.400 --> 00:06:49.160 And he said, the one who showed him mercy. 00:06:50.340 --> 00:06:54.140 And Jesus said to him, You go and do likewise. 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:58.759 Now, as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:02.460 And a woman named Martha welcomed him to her house. 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:08.279 She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:11.919 But Martha was distracted with much serving. 00:07:12.739 --> 00:07:18.719 And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 00:07:19.479 --> 00:07:21.060 Tell her then to help me. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:30.639 But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:33.259 But one thing is necessary. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:39.800 Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.759 Please pray with me. 00:07:46.419 --> 00:07:48.899 Lord, we thank you for your word this morning. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:53.519 We thank you for these well-known stories. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:08:00.500 And we pray this morning that you would make them new and fresh again to us. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:03.579 Lord, we pray that you will speak to our hearts. 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:07.259 We pray that you will move our wills. 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:10.439 And that, Lord, you will use our hands. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:17.259 Lord, we pray that as we listen to your word this morning, 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:20.819 that you will help us to be disciples. 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:26.319 Those who know you and listen to you and follow you. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:29.039 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:30.079 Amen. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:36.360 Our text is all about the basics. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:38.000 The basics in three part. 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:42.379 They're sort of the introduction of the basics in verses 25 through 28. 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:49.480 Then in 29 through 37, we see the basic of loving your neighbor. 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:53.659 And then in the last part, the basic of loving God. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:58.519 So that's what we will look at in that order this morning as we walk through it. 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:05.000 So the context, the setup of all this, the introduction to Jesus reminding his disciples of the basic, 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:10.179 is a lawyer, a teacher of the law, comes to Jesus, and he stands up and he asks him a question. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:16.319 And this would be a normal question for students to ask rabbis, 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:20.139 what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:09:20.199 --> 00:09:24.059 What are the things, what are the criteria, what are the actions that I need to do 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:29.579 in order to qualify to be in God's kingdom and to be God's person, to be secure? 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:33.000 These are the questions that he is raising. 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:36.699 But interestingly, Luke not only records the interaction, 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:40.320 but he speaks into the heart of the lawyer. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:47.060 Because the lawyer isn't simply asking this out of sincere curiosity. 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:52.520 In fact, as a teacher of the law, he knows much of the Torah and much of the Old Testament. 00:09:53.140 --> 00:09:57.280 And so when he is coming to Jesus, he is asking this question to test him. 00:09:58.040 --> 00:10:00.180 In what way is he seeking to test him? 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:05.099 Well, it's not entirely clear because Luke doesn't expand anymore. 00:10:05.359 --> 00:10:08.839 But it seems to me that maybe what this lawyer is saying is, 00:10:09.359 --> 00:10:13.379 you claim to be a great teacher, but I think you're an upstart. 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:15.159 Will you uphold the traditions? 00:10:16.339 --> 00:10:17.979 Or are you making a new way? 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:23.159 And it's possible as well, because we see it later on, 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:26.839 that he's asking this question in order to make himself look good. 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:28.879 I know the answer to these questions. 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.940 In fact, I am living these answers. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.639 I'm the embodiment of this. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:37.540 So I'm going to ask this question in order to make myself look good in asking the question. 00:10:38.820 --> 00:10:41.600 But whatever it is, he asks this question. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:48.620 And Jesus, perceiving this heart, responds on the safest ground possible. 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:51.840 He says, well, you're a teacher of the law of God. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.940 You tell me, what does it say? 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:59.960 And the man quotes back to him from Deuteronomy 5, which we read earlier, 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:04.060 and then from Leviticus 19, 18, saying, 00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:07.960 you shall love the Lord your God, and you shall love your neighbor. 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.600 These two things. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:14.340 And Jesus responds and says, you're right. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:15.160 Great. 00:11:16.280 --> 00:11:17.460 Now go do it. 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:24.900 Jesus says, you have thought rightly about what it would require for you, 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:27.480 but now you must embody it. 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:29.200 You must actually live it out. 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:31.940 Go and do these things. 00:11:33.420 --> 00:11:37.320 And in this introduction to these basics, we see these things laid out. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.840 Thinking rightly and doing rightly. 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:42.460 Loving God and loving your neighbor. 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:49.759 As we think about the pattern of discipleship, what do we think is most important? 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:55.740 It's pretty easy for us to get distracted. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:00.540 Can I create a checklist of things that I'm doing? 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:08.379 Can I create a creedal belief statement where I can check off and say, 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:11.200 yep, that's what I believe, so I must be good. 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:15.780 Maybe it's, I come to church every Sunday. 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.540 Isn't that right? 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.640 Isn't that what he wants? 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.879 And here's the thing. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:20.020 All of those things are good. 00:12:20.540 --> 00:12:21.740 None of them are bad. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:25.300 But when we make them the most important thing, 00:12:25.640 --> 00:12:28.759 when Jesus says, what is the heart of discipleship? 00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:31.759 It is loving God. 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:37.680 It is being in a right relationship with God where you are responding to him in love. 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:44.000 And loving your neighbor where having known God's love for you and responded to him in love, 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:48.439 you then turn around and love your fellow human beings. 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:51.739 Men and women made in God's image. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:13:01.659 And we realize that at the core of the Christian faith is these relationships of love. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:07.639 And it is so easy for us to be distracted, isn't it? 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:15.199 I think of our church and as we sit on the brink of moving ahead, hopefully with a building project, 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:21.360 with the disruptions and the distractions and the extra work and the, 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:26.600 the, the, uh, some of the, the strains of transition that it will cause. 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:32.980 And I'm reminded here, we need to hear Jesus reminding us this morning, 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:35.759 this is what is most important about our church. 00:13:36.040 --> 00:13:38.720 This is what we need to fight for more than anything. 00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:43.220 The carpet of, or the color of the carpet does not matter. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:47.360 But if we love or don't love, that is what matters. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:55.820 So Jesus sets up this rubric, loving God and loving your neighbor. 00:13:55.940 --> 00:14:00.340 And interestingly, then the next two sections unpack this. 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:07.159 This is one of those places where those bold, uh, uh, section breaks in your Bible are not always helpful. 00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:14.039 Um, because the last verses in 38 through 42 are set off with another heading, aren't they? 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.519 At least they are in my Bible. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:17.699 And in lots of Bibles, I think they're set off. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:20.899 And so you think, oh, well, this is a new, this is a new setting. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:26.259 And that's not completely illegitimate because in verse 38, there's a sort of classic Lucan. 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:28.500 He says, and now something else happens. 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:35.919 Um, and yet, as I studied these passages together, isn't it interesting that he sets out this basic, 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:37.199 love God and love your neighbor. 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:41.659 And then he tells these two stories about loving your neighbor and loving God. 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:45.799 And this is what we see as we go forward. 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:54.079 So starting in verse 29, then we see Jesus expanding and, uh, uh, deepening our understanding 00:14:54.079 --> 00:14:56.339 of what does it mean to love our neighbor? 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.319 This basic that Jesus has laid out for us. 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:05.460 Now you see this, the lawyer is, the story is in some ways continuing because the lawyer, 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:09.340 having heard Jesus challenge, you've, you're thinking rightly about it. 00:15:09.400 --> 00:15:10.360 Now go do it. 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:12.600 Feels threatened, doesn't he? 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:18.500 Because somehow he feels the need in that moment to justify himself. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:21.860 I'm an upstanding religious man. 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:23.059 Don't you see me? 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:25.059 Aren't I doing enough? 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:30.019 And so he asked this question so that he can say, yes, I have met the standard. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:34.419 I have, I have been able to do what is necessary. 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:37.039 And he asked the question, who is my neighbor? 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.860 So that he can know what are the boundaries of my responsibility? 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:47.960 What are the, what are the, um, where's the limit of what you're really asking of me? 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:51.039 How good enough is good enough for God? 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:58.620 When can I get to the end of the checklist and say, I'm okay and go home, put my feet 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:03.399 up, watch football and not have to think about walking this road of discipleship this afternoon. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.639 Can I just rest please? 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:13.159 He wants to know how to check that box so that he can, uh, feel good and secure about his 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:14.179 own actions. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.879 He wants to know what those boundaries are. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:21.559 And Jesus responds with this well-known story. 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:26.539 A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:32.500 If you've been in the Holy Land, I've not, so you can probably picture this far better than 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:32.779 I can. 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:36.419 Jerusalem is up on a mountain and you go down to Jericho. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:41.340 And when you go down to Jericho, this was a well-known dangerous road to take. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:49.000 So no one would be surprised that this man in, in Jesus' parable, as he goes down, he is beset 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.740 by robbers. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:53.500 He is stripped, beaten, and left half for dead. 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:58.580 In all good storytelling, this raises the question, what's going to happen? 00:16:58.680 --> 00:17:00.420 Who will save this man? 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:04.200 And lo and behold, a priest's arrived. 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:09.779 And for this Jewish audience, you would think, yay, the police have come. 00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:11.019 We're going to be saved. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:14.000 And yet that's not what happens. 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:18.159 He looks at him and he passes on the other side and continues. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:26.300 And similarly, a Levite, one of those in the tribe of Levi who served the priests, especially 00:17:26.300 --> 00:17:27.300 set apart by God. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:31.779 Well, this certainly will, but he passes by as well. 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:40.580 And in the first century years, there was this saying that would ring in the ears of 00:17:40.580 --> 00:17:43.600 the people that would describe the special people of God. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.960 There are the priests, the Levites, and the people. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:52.160 And so, if you're listening to this story as a first century Jew, you're expecting the 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:59.180 next sentence to be, and then finally, a Jewish layman was walking by, and suddenly this is 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.519 going to be the hero of the story. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:04.600 This is going to be the one who will rescue this man in distress. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:09.079 And yet that's not who it is, is it? 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:13.279 It's a Samaritan. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:20.480 Now, many of you know this, but some maybe… 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:28.819 Samaria was the area north of Jerusalem quite a ways, up near the Sea of Galilee and beyond. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:33.819 It was a place where two things had happened. 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:44.539 One is that the Jewish community had been both forcibly and willingly intermixed with people. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:49.740 Both the Assyrians and then later the Macedonians, the Greeks, as they conquered this area, they 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:54.059 forcibly removed some of the Jews to other places and brought in other people. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:19:01.740 And over time, this created an intermarriage and a syncretism that betrayed the Jewish commitment 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:04.599 to being a people set apart for God. 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:11.839 But not only that, but up in this part of the world, the northern king, and you've got 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:13.740 to get into the history of Israel. 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.799 I'm not going to tell you all about it. 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:20.220 But when Israel was divided after David's kingdom was established, when it was divided north and 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:24.960 south, they set up another altar on the slopes of Mount Gerizim. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:27.620 And so, and that's up in Samaria. 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:34.740 And so the people who lived up in Samaria, if I could use the crassest words, they were 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.400 half-breed infidels. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.420 Okay? 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:41.340 They were outside of the community. 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.779 And they were hated. 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:45.700 They were despised. 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:49.519 And they were opposed. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:59.920 And Jesus says, a Samaritan, the worst of the worst, is trying to think of what might 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:10.019 be, it would be an ISIS soldier seeing an American in need and stopping and helping. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:16.859 Maybe, maybe that's close, something close to the emotional impact that it would have for 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:21.159 Jesus to say, a Samaritan stopped and he helped this man. 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:24.799 And he didn't just help him a little. 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:27.639 Look with me at the story. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:31.779 Verse 33 and following. 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:35.119 He came to where he was. 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:38.579 He saw him and he had compassion. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.919 So he saw a need. 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.839 He responded out of his heart. 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.479 And then look at the actions. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.039 First, he went to him. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:50.839 He actually physically approached this enemy who was in need. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:21:00.000 And then this whole list of verbs that Luke, he bound up his wounds. 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:01.700 He poured oil and wine on him. 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.899 He set him on his animal. 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:04.259 He brought him to an inn. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.619 He took care of him. 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:07.259 The next day, he paid for him. 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:13.319 Not only did he pay for him, but he basically opened a tab and said, whatever you need. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:19.740 Which put him at great risk because inns were not places of great repute in those days. 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:24.119 And it would have been opening him up to being massively scammed by the innkeeper. 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:29.619 And yet he says, whatever he costs, I will pay. 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:42.699 The enemy responds to one in need in a remarkable way in this picture. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:50.220 And Jesus then turns the table on the lawyer. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:54.059 You've asked me, who is my neighbor? 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:56.180 Because you want to know what the boundaries are. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:22:02.180 But I'm going to ask you the question, which one of these three was a neighbor? 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:08.759 Neighbor moves from being a noun, tell me who I'm responsible for, to being a verb. 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:14.880 Tell me what I'm responsible for doing, for being, for becoming. 00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:18.840 Who showed mercy? 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:26.799 Jesus is asking not about the limits of our responsibility, but the quality of our character. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:33.480 When he asked the lawyer, the lawyer couldn't choke out the word Samaritan. 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.220 Isn't it interesting? 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:36.519 He didn't say, oh, it was the Samaritan who did it. 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:39.299 All he could say is, the guy who did that. 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:49.740 The lawyer was choking on Jesus' rebuke of his understanding of what it meant to follow him. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:52.200 Because it's not about checking the box. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:58.480 It's not about just doing good within a certain range of reasonable expectations. 00:22:59.100 --> 00:23:04.019 It's about being a kind of person who responds to those in need with love. 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:10.440 He says, go and do likewise. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.980 And you will live. 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:18.140 The inheritance you're looking for flows out of a life 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:22.180 that recognizes these things. 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.660 So what about us, church? 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:29.960 Daryl Bach, one of the commentators on Luke, says, 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:34.200 one of the ways to summarize what Jesus is calling us to in this parable 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:38.100 is to see and to feel and to serve. 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.340 I thought that was really helpful. 00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:42.400 Questions for us to ask. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.480 Do we see need? 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.360 Do we respond with compassion? 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:49.099 Do we do actions to serve those? 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.740 And you know what? 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:52.399 I want to stand before you and say, 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:55.779 I'm really glad to be part of this congregation. 00:23:56.719 --> 00:23:59.339 Because do you know what I've seen over the years? 00:24:00.479 --> 00:24:04.279 I've seen a homeless mother and daughter housed for a month 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:08.379 to get through a gap between when emergency housing ended 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:14.079 and when they were able to get themselves onto their feet. 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:19.339 Strangers were invited into homes and kept for a period of time. 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:23.939 I've seen some of you regularly visit retirement homes 00:24:23.939 --> 00:24:25.720 where members are. 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:29.980 I've seen some of you show up as a team 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:33.619 to unpack a large moving van full of furniture 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:35.679 for someone you have never met 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:40.000 because they're coming to be a part of our church 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.859 and you welcome them with serving. 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:49.139 I've seen single women adopt foster care kids 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:53.639 and raise them to know Christ 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:56.419 and to know the love of Christ in their homes. 00:24:57.599 --> 00:25:01.919 I've seen men and women befriending the children 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:07.459 and single parent families to mentor, to love them. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:12.200 I've seen busy families absorb other kids 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:16.740 so that overwhelmed parents can get a break. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:24.240 I've seen couples take up the mantle to become a hub 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:27.779 for singles who need a place to be on Friday night 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.700 for fellowship and for fun 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:32.519 that's going to be constructive and not destructive. 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:38.740 I've seen you be willing to take on your neighbor's kid 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:42.420 when baby number two was ready to come 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:46.339 and many, many, many other ways 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:50.319 that I have seen you love your neighbors 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:52.019 within this church and without 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:54.660 in beautiful ways. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:57.540 what I want to say is 00:25:57.540 --> 00:26:00.060 Jesus calls us to keep going 00:26:00.060 --> 00:26:04.480 to excel still more 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.320 in our love for our neighbors 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:08.660 to have a heart of compassion 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.779 and I know it's not easy 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:12.220 some of you think 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:13.460 but I'm so overwhelmed 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.779 I wake up every morning 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:16.040 and the need in the world 00:26:16.040 --> 00:26:18.060 and the need even in my world 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:19.540 is so much 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.920 what do I do? 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.319 I'd simply say 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.779 recognize that 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:29.099 Jesus doesn't call you 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:31.039 to serve everybody 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:33.859 and to save everybody 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:36.500 but pray 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.960 and then do. 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:40.639 Find something to respond to 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:42.059 and serve. 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:44.899 Don't let yourself get stuck 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:46.139 in the paralysis of 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.599 I can't do it all 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.920 just do something. 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.500 And if all of us 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.539 just do something 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:55.240 we'll be following 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.940 in the footsteps 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.700 of what Christ 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.899 is telling us to hear. 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.599 Some of you want to solve 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.819 the problems you see. 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:03.420 You see people in need 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.379 and you want to solve 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.159 their problems. 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:07.139 Friends, there are problems 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:08.139 that we may not be able 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.639 to solve. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.839 I sit in the office 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.720 and I see some of you 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.639 and I see others 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.220 our neighbors 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.940 in the neighborhood 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.539 come in 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:19.579 and they have many problems 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.799 that I cannot solve. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:23.240 I cannot find them housing. 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.700 I cannot find them jobs. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.460 I cannot find them friends. 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:28.319 I cannot do any of those things. 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:30.159 But I can still be a neighbor 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.819 to them 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:32.420 in those moments 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.839 treating them with dignity 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:35.339 with love 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.079 and with care 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.920 helping them in ways 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.619 that I can. 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:42.819 some of you will say 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:44.159 well I don't have time. 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:46.000 I'm just so busy. 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:54.299 This is the hardest one 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.759 isn't it? 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:57.219 Because in our life 00:27:57.219 --> 00:27:58.759 in our world today 00:27:58.759 --> 00:28:01.159 our currency 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:02.939 the thing we value the most 00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:04.419 is often not our money. 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:06.360 it's much easier 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:06.720 to say 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.980 here take some money 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:09.400 hope that fixes your problem 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:11.340 than it is to actually 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.539 respond in compassion 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.140 isn't it? 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:16.300 Our time 00:28:16.300 --> 00:28:17.340 and our attention 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:19.120 are far more valuable 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.860 than our money. 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:22.640 And yet the example 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:24.779 of the good Samaritan 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:26.320 is that he took 00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:27.019 the things that were 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:28.300 most valuable to him 00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:30.000 both his time 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.960 and his money 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.220 and his attention 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:34.420 and he invested it 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:36.019 at cost to himself. 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.799 And so I 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:43.980 like many of you 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:46.259 probably feel 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:46.839 the sting 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.900 of Jesus' rebuke. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.200 If I think 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.019 I don't have time 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.920 to ever stop 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.720 and respond 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.420 in compassion 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:55.579 maybe my heart 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.440 has gotten hard 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.640 and my life 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.799 has gotten so full 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:01.899 that I'm not able 00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:02.779 to respond 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.940 and to be a neighbor. 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.379 And if that's true 00:29:06.379 --> 00:29:07.119 I probably need 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.059 a deeper reckoning 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.940 with the Lord 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:09.759 about what I'm doing 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.480 with my life. 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:13.419 It's very easy 00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:14.480 for us to fill 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:14.940 our lives 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.039 with selfish things 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:18.119 that keep us 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:19.519 from being able 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.099 and willing 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.259 to love others. 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.659 If you are sitting 00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.279 here this morning 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.720 and you're like 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.480 how do I do this? 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.139 What do I do? 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.740 Well here are a few 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:32.299 specific practical things 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.220 that you can do. 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.240 One is 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.240 we live in a city 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.960 if you walk around 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.519 New Haven 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:39.559 you will find people 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.819 who are in need. 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.539 I want to point to you 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.619 Pastor Greg 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:43.940 has written 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.619 a great little 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:47.220 brochure 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.539 called 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.480 Helping the Homeless. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.480 Is that what it's called? 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.779 I think that's what it's called. 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.119 Yeah 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.139 close enough. 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.359 It's on the back 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:53.879 you'll see it 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:55.319 there's only one like it. 00:29:56.159 --> 00:29:57.720 But it's really wise 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:59.860 because there's a whole 00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:00.980 discussion that I chose 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:02.200 not to get into this morning 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.500 about when helping hurts 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.680 and how do you help well 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.680 and how do you not help well 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.720 and there's all that thing 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.920 because the heart of what 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.880 Jesus is saying is 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.980 see the need 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:11.160 respond in compassion 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:12.100 and serve them. 00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:13.900 But as we do that 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.500 you'll learn 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.700 there's better and worse 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.539 ways to do that. 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.339 There are more helpful 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:18.259 and less helpful ways 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.759 to do that. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.460 Greg's pamphlet 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.880 is a wonderful starting place 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.980 for thinking about 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.880 how do we respond 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.079 to the needs of people 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.700 that we meet 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.799 on the streets 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.120 of this city. 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.799 But there are other ways 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.299 as well. 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.279 Think about joining 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.259 the Night Runners team 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.559 that goes to Columbus House 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.900 simply to love 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.920 people there. 00:30:37.580 --> 00:30:38.600 Think about joining 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.380 the mentoring team 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:39.759 that bridges 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:41.200 mentoring ministry. 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.500 Think they're full right now 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.200 but think about 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:44.019 whether you'd be available 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.640 next year 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:47.059 for mentoring 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:49.100 kids 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:50.740 in our city 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.640 who are needy. 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:53.980 if you're not on 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:55.020 the have need list 00:30:55.020 --> 00:30:55.740 that Michelle 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.820 sends out 00:30:56.820 --> 00:30:57.820 on a regular basis 00:30:57.820 --> 00:30:59.040 it's one of the ways 00:30:59.040 --> 00:30:59.980 to be aware of needs 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.480 within our congregation 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:03.440 that you might be able 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:03.920 to meet. 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.940 So those are four 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.860 practical ways 00:31:07.860 --> 00:31:09.180 for you to take steps. 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.940 But at the end of the day 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.660 what I want to ask you 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.380 to do most 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.280 in response to this 00:31:14.280 --> 00:31:14.880 is to pray. 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.960 Ask the Lord 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.080 to help you see 00:31:18.080 --> 00:31:18.800 the needs 00:31:18.800 --> 00:31:20.600 of the people around you. 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:22.659 ask the Lord 00:31:22.659 --> 00:31:23.740 to give you 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:25.000 a heart of compassion 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:26.319 in response to those 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:28.419 and take steps 00:31:28.419 --> 00:31:30.019 do something 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:31.179 to serve 00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:32.240 in response 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.159 to what you see. 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.899 The lawyer 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:37.980 was not prepared 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:40.399 for this 00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:41.839 and we are often 00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:43.019 not prepared 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.099 to be challenged 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.899 the way Jesus 00:31:44.899 --> 00:31:45.699 challenges us 00:31:45.699 --> 00:31:46.500 with this parable. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:47.799 And yet 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.939 this is the basics 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:49.980 that are simple 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.220 and yet hard 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.720 to do. 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.400 And then he goes on 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:57.059 as Luke tells the story 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.779 he moves from 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.440 this basic 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.299 loving your neighbor 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.519 to then this 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.620 second story 00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:03.600 about Mary and Martha. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.920 Jesus in his 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.860 traveling entourage 00:32:07.860 --> 00:32:09.580 it seems clear 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:10.580 that Mary and Martha 00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.220 would be people 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.320 who are known to him. 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.660 It's not clear 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.779 if this is the same 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.460 Mary and Martha 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.100 who are the brother 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.899 of Lazarus. 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.879 That's an interesting 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:21.439 exploration for you 00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:22.339 to see 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:23.139 but it seems 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:24.119 that this is probably 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:25.319 happening somewhere else 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.000 although again 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.759 it's not clear 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.279 that Luke 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.740 structured this part 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.500 of his story 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.619 in a chronological 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.740 geographic order 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:33.219 and so it's possible 00:32:33.219 --> 00:32:33.639 that 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.319 anyway 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.639 I don't want to get 00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.379 into all the details 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:36.639 of it 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.179 but to say 00:32:37.179 --> 00:32:38.339 we don't know a lot 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:39.000 but we do know 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.759 that Mary and Martha 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.759 were probably known 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.219 to them 00:32:41.219 --> 00:32:42.000 partly because 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.119 they call him Lord. 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:44.279 they were probably 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.979 a part of the 00:32:44.979 --> 00:32:46.359 larger following 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.539 that included 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.639 both the 12 disciples 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:49.619 but also others 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:50.539 who were following 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.079 with Jesus 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:52.139 and they welcomed 00:32:52.139 --> 00:32:53.279 him into their home 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:55.079 and they began 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.879 to serve him 00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.939 and you see 00:32:56.939 --> 00:32:57.379 that there 00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:59.599 there are 00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:01.899 in these two sisters 00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:03.219 there are two responses. 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.839 Martha welcomed him 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.519 into her house 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.679 and she had a sister 00:33:07.679 --> 00:33:08.239 named Mary 00:33:08.239 --> 00:33:10.259 who sat at the Lord's feet. 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:14.719 Both of these 00:33:14.719 --> 00:33:15.399 were disciples 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:16.199 both of them 00:33:16.199 --> 00:33:16.659 were looking 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.759 to serve Jesus 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:19.799 but they did so differently 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.619 and actually 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.679 really interestingly 00:33:21.679 --> 00:33:23.259 if you have a King James Bible 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:25.179 it says that Mary 00:33:25.179 --> 00:33:25.939 also 00:33:25.939 --> 00:33:29.019 was sitting 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.679 at her feet 00:33:29.679 --> 00:33:31.699 which is an interesting 00:33:31.699 --> 00:33:32.919 picture 00:33:32.919 --> 00:33:33.959 because it maybe 00:33:33.959 --> 00:33:34.879 suggests that 00:33:34.879 --> 00:33:36.439 Martha had started there. 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:38.539 It's not clear 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:40.879 and it's not in your English 00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:41.959 in your ESV 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:42.900 but if you go back 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.759 to the original language 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.579 there's an extra 00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.480 chi in there 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.279 which probably 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.079 means also 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:50.779 and it might suggest 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.460 that Martha 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.220 started there 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.440 but it's very clear 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:53.980 that that's not 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.940 where she ended up 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.420 right? 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.019 Because Mary 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.680 stays 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.620 and sits 00:33:59.620 --> 00:34:00.500 at Jesus' feet 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.720 and this is the posture 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.480 of a disciple. 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.960 This is the posture 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.120 of those 00:34:05.120 --> 00:34:05.920 who would follow 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:07.180 traveling rabbis 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.500 around in this context 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.559 and they would sit there 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.220 and listen 00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:11.579 to the teacher. 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:13.000 They would listen 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:14.119 to the words 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.119 that the teacher 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.659 was teaching 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.599 and they would absorb 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.279 these things 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.939 they would internalize them 00:34:18.939 --> 00:34:20.480 sometimes they would interact 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.559 like the lawyer did 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.379 with a question 00:34:22.379 --> 00:34:24.619 but this was a posture 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.459 of a disciple. 00:34:29.299 --> 00:34:30.199 And yet Martha 00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:32.519 when you get to verse 40 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.819 but Martha 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:35.579 was distracted. 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:40.039 Martha was distracted 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.159 by her serving. 00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:42.000 She got up 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:43.219 and she was taking care 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:43.440 of them 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:45.360 and for those of you 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:46.179 who have served 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:46.699 in churches 00:34:46.699 --> 00:34:48.159 or served in all sorts 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:49.460 you know what this feeling 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:49.980 is like 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:51.219 when you're sitting there 00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:51.799 and you're trying 00:34:51.799 --> 00:34:52.739 to do the right thing 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.279 and you're trying 00:34:53.279 --> 00:34:54.099 to help and serve 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:56.139 and you see the guy 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:56.659 over there 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:57.519 who's doing the thing 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.699 that you wish you were doing 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.759 but you're not doing 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.659 and you're wondering 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.840 why he isn't helping 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:03.519 to do the right thing 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:06.259 because Mary clearly felt like 00:35:06.259 --> 00:35:07.340 this was the right thing 00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:08.219 for me to be doing 00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:10.159 and yet it was filling her 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:11.079 with resentment 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:12.940 with anxiety. 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.119 Jesus says 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.960 you are anxious 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.759 and troubled. 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:17.380 Troubled is this great word 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:18.619 it might be translated 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:20.019 you're full of rioting 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:21.239 in your heart. 00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:22.460 Have you ever felt 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.440 your heart do that 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:23.840 in these 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:25.039 where you're just like 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:26.380 oh why isn't 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.460 no one else helping? 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:29.539 That's Martha. 00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:30.639 She got there 00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:33.300 and it was very hard 00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:37.480 she challenges 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:37.960 Jesus 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.780 and Mary 00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:40.840 don't you see 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.960 what's going on here 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:42.340 Jesus? 00:35:42.640 --> 00:35:43.840 Which is sort of ridiculous 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.180 right? 00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:44.820 It's not like 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:45.260 this is a 00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:45.860 you know 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.380 but he's like 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.519 don't you see? 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:49.900 Why isn't she helping me? 00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:51.900 It's always good 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:52.860 sometimes we don't even 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.460 get to the point 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:54.280 of verbalizing it 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:55.039 we just mutter 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.560 and grumble 00:35:55.560 --> 00:35:56.240 and become bitter. 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.640 Martha at least 00:35:57.640 --> 00:35:58.860 had the wherewithal 00:35:58.860 --> 00:36:00.019 to express it 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:00.820 and say so. 00:36:00.820 --> 00:36:04.180 and Jesus responds 00:36:04.180 --> 00:36:05.820 and here's the thing 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:07.180 I don't think 00:36:07.180 --> 00:36:08.500 that Jesus' rebuke 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.700 is of her serving 00:36:09.700 --> 00:36:10.340 per se. 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.460 We just had 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.420 a whole parable 00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.480 about how serving 00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.539 others is important. 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:18.100 It's hard to see 00:36:18.100 --> 00:36:18.880 that his rebuke 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.460 is oh no 00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:20.620 Martha you shouldn't 00:36:20.620 --> 00:36:21.220 have been serving 00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:22.660 food is not important 00:36:22.660 --> 00:36:23.440 hospitality 00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:24.860 is not important. 00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:26.059 I don't think 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.760 that's what Jesus 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.400 is saying. 00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:29.760 But Jesus 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:30.599 is saying 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:32.220 look at your 00:36:32.220 --> 00:36:32.720 attitude 00:36:32.720 --> 00:36:34.460 and look at 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.300 what your serving 00:36:35.300 --> 00:36:35.780 has done. 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.860 It has distracted 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.940 you from the thing 00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.800 that is most 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.460 important. 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.519 Because in your 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.880 serving it seems 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:43.559 and this is where 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.980 it seems that 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.840 Martha has started 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:46.940 to serve serving 00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:48.139 or serve duty 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:49.139 or serve 00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:50.180 her picture 00:36:50.180 --> 00:36:51.039 of what she thinks 00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:51.619 is right. 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:54.639 And in the process 00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.460 she's lost 00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:56.300 the vision 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:56.960 that she's 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.920 actually serving 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.360 Jesus. 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:02.760 Mary 00:37:02.760 --> 00:37:05.019 for maybe 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:06.699 her obliviousness 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.579 to the opportunities 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:08.480 to serve in other 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:08.900 ways 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:10.019 has kept 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.760 that right. 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:12.179 And it seems 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:12.679 that that is 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:13.440 what Jesus 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:14.679 commends 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:15.900 in this passage. 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:17.860 Look at me 00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:18.300 and see 00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:19.340 what she says. 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:20.760 I see what he says 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:21.579 in verse 41. 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:22.699 Martha, 00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:23.280 Martha, 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:24.000 you are anxious 00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:24.719 and troubled 00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:26.300 about many things. 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:28.179 But one thing 00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:29.139 is necessary. 00:37:30.599 --> 00:37:31.719 Mary has chosen 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:32.880 the good portion 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:34.219 which will not 00:37:34.219 --> 00:37:35.000 be taken away 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.500 from her. 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:41.219 She has chosen 00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:42.239 to make Jesus 00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:43.340 and sitting 00:37:43.340 --> 00:37:43.920 at his feet 00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:45.199 and being his disciple 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:48.039 the most important 00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:49.300 thing in her life. 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:52.480 and she will not 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:53.320 let other things 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:54.340 even good things 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:55.240 distract her 00:37:55.240 --> 00:37:56.019 from that. 00:37:57.680 --> 00:37:58.700 And wonderfully 00:37:58.700 --> 00:37:59.539 this is also 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.600 an incredibly 00:38:00.600 --> 00:38:01.780 counter-cultural 00:38:01.780 --> 00:38:04.580 and socially 00:38:04.580 --> 00:38:06.060 explosive move 00:38:06.060 --> 00:38:07.640 because the rabbis 00:38:07.640 --> 00:38:08.480 in the first century 00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:09.539 would never let 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.140 a woman sit 00:38:10.140 --> 00:38:10.660 at their feet 00:38:10.660 --> 00:38:11.240 like that. 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.840 That is not 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.280 what women 00:38:13.280 --> 00:38:14.060 are meant to do. 00:38:14.180 --> 00:38:14.740 What Martha 00:38:14.740 --> 00:38:15.200 was doing 00:38:15.200 --> 00:38:15.880 is what women 00:38:15.880 --> 00:38:16.680 are meant to do. 00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:19.440 They had the old 00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.059 barefoot 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:20.899 and in the kitchen 00:38:20.899 --> 00:38:21.679 perception 00:38:21.679 --> 00:38:22.399 of what women 00:38:22.399 --> 00:38:23.259 are meant to do. 00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:24.719 And Jesus comes 00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:25.179 and he says 00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:25.579 no, 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:26.559 don't you see? 00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:28.159 This is exactly 00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:28.859 what women 00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:29.779 are meant to be. 00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:31.699 Sitting at my feet 00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:33.019 being my disciple 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:33.779 receiving 00:38:33.779 --> 00:38:35.179 my teaching 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:36.679 serving me 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:38.199 in this way 00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:41.039 as well as that way. 00:38:41.039 --> 00:38:44.940 And he didn't say 00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.579 but he might have said 00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:45.940 and men 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.440 you can go 00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.159 in the kitchen too 00:38:47.159 --> 00:38:47.599 and help out 00:38:47.599 --> 00:38:48.179 a little bit too. 00:38:48.779 --> 00:38:49.739 That's another story. 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:55.579 But Jesus is exalting 00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:57.300 and holding up Mary 00:38:57.300 --> 00:38:58.619 as an example 00:38:58.619 --> 00:39:02.579 of the incredible thing 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.759 that discipleship 00:39:03.759 --> 00:39:04.480 is a calling 00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:06.159 for all men 00:39:06.159 --> 00:39:06.719 and women. 00:39:06.980 --> 00:39:08.000 For all the ones 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:09.639 created in God's image. 00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:11.480 This is what he's called 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:13.639 us to and for 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.739 in Christ. 00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:20.900 And he says to Martha 00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:22.639 don't despise 00:39:23.179 --> 00:39:24.980 what Mary is doing 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:27.000 instead value it 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:28.400 celebrate it 00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:29.500 exalt it 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:30.659 cherish it. 00:39:31.679 --> 00:39:33.440 Follow in her example 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:34.359 of making 00:39:34.359 --> 00:39:36.119 following me 00:39:36.119 --> 00:39:37.519 the most important thing. 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:39.480 and following me 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.259 has a particular 00:39:40.259 --> 00:39:41.079 shape here 00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:42.480 because Mary is 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:43.460 there are lots of ways 00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:44.159 to follow Jesus 00:39:44.159 --> 00:39:45.099 we just saw 00:39:45.099 --> 00:39:46.259 in the story 00:39:46.259 --> 00:39:46.880 of the Good Samaritan 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:47.699 there's another kind 00:39:47.699 --> 00:39:48.480 there are other 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.320 but here 00:39:49.320 --> 00:39:50.500 the key is 00:39:50.500 --> 00:39:51.460 that she is sitting 00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:52.519 and listening 00:39:52.519 --> 00:39:53.599 to his teaching. 00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:56.360 And friends 00:39:56.360 --> 00:39:57.019 I just wonder 00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:57.699 for us 00:39:57.699 --> 00:39:58.980 this morning 00:39:58.980 --> 00:40:00.539 do we actually 00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:01.599 do that? 00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:04.159 we live in a busy 00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.659 world 00:40:04.659 --> 00:40:05.739 and we have 00:40:05.739 --> 00:40:06.779 many many 00:40:06.779 --> 00:40:07.500 distractions 00:40:07.500 --> 00:40:09.759 we live in a world 00:40:09.759 --> 00:40:10.639 that values 00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:11.539 our external 00:40:11.539 --> 00:40:12.440 productivity 00:40:12.440 --> 00:40:13.639 what have you done 00:40:13.639 --> 00:40:14.360 with your day? 00:40:15.279 --> 00:40:15.920 What have you 00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:17.179 produced today? 00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.219 And Jesus 00:40:22.219 --> 00:40:22.839 comes in 00:40:22.839 --> 00:40:23.500 and he says 00:40:23.500 --> 00:40:24.579 to be my disciple 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:25.779 is to love me 00:40:25.779 --> 00:40:27.299 and to love me 00:40:27.299 --> 00:40:28.460 is to sit at my feet 00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:29.920 and listen to my teaching. 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:33.059 How well 00:40:33.059 --> 00:40:33.980 do we do that? 00:40:34.680 --> 00:40:35.420 Do we have 00:40:35.420 --> 00:40:36.360 the creativity 00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:37.700 and the wherewithal 00:40:37.700 --> 00:40:38.400 to be like 00:40:38.400 --> 00:40:39.240 Susanna Wesley 00:40:39.240 --> 00:40:40.220 and to sit 00:40:40.220 --> 00:40:40.840 in our house 00:40:40.840 --> 00:40:41.300 full of 00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:43.240 innumerable children 00:40:43.240 --> 00:40:44.420 and to throw 00:40:44.420 --> 00:40:45.659 her apron 00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:46.760 over her head 00:40:46.760 --> 00:40:47.740 so that she would 00:40:47.740 --> 00:40:48.400 have time 00:40:48.400 --> 00:40:49.079 with the Lord 00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:49.920 every day? 00:40:54.420 --> 00:40:55.440 Can you do that 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:56.180 in your lab? 00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:57.260 Can you do that 00:40:57.260 --> 00:40:58.800 in your workplace? 00:40:58.800 --> 00:41:00.039 Can you do that 00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:00.780 in the busyness 00:41:00.780 --> 00:41:01.440 of your home? 00:41:03.160 --> 00:41:04.260 Can you do that 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:05.200 when the papers 00:41:05.200 --> 00:41:05.780 are waiting 00:41:05.780 --> 00:41:06.480 to be written? 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:07.600 When the books 00:41:07.600 --> 00:41:08.120 are waiting 00:41:08.120 --> 00:41:08.940 to be read? 00:41:13.560 --> 00:41:14.600 Are you willing 00:41:14.600 --> 00:41:15.120 to sit 00:41:15.120 --> 00:41:15.660 and listen 00:41:15.660 --> 00:41:16.320 to Jesus 00:41:16.320 --> 00:41:16.920 speak 00:41:16.920 --> 00:41:18.100 his words 00:41:18.100 --> 00:41:19.000 into your life? 00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:20.260 Are there parts 00:41:20.260 --> 00:41:20.880 of your life 00:41:20.880 --> 00:41:21.420 where you're like 00:41:21.420 --> 00:41:22.420 no thanks Jesus 00:41:22.420 --> 00:41:23.860 I got this part 00:41:23.860 --> 00:41:24.680 I don't really 00:41:24.680 --> 00:41:25.519 want you to speak 00:41:25.519 --> 00:41:26.160 into it 00:41:26.159 --> 00:41:27.159 I don't want you 00:41:27.159 --> 00:41:27.639 to speak 00:41:27.639 --> 00:41:28.420 into my ethics 00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:28.980 at work 00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:29.920 I don't want you 00:41:29.920 --> 00:41:30.379 to speak 00:41:30.379 --> 00:41:31.379 into my sex life 00:41:31.379 --> 00:41:32.279 I don't want you 00:41:32.279 --> 00:41:32.879 to speak 00:41:32.879 --> 00:41:33.579 into how I spend 00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.079 my money 00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:35.119 that's kind of 00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:35.579 uncomfortable 00:41:35.579 --> 00:41:36.739 can we just stay 00:41:36.739 --> 00:41:37.279 on the like 00:41:37.279 --> 00:41:38.199 worshipping you 00:41:38.199 --> 00:41:39.159 and nice stuff 00:41:39.159 --> 00:41:39.619 like that 00:41:39.619 --> 00:41:40.159 go to church? 00:41:41.899 --> 00:41:43.059 Are we resistant 00:41:43.059 --> 00:41:43.679 to sitting 00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:44.440 at Jesus feet 00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:45.199 because we think 00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:46.440 he might challenge 00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:47.440 how we live? 00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:51.760 Do you find 00:41:51.760 --> 00:41:52.119 yourself 00:41:52.119 --> 00:41:52.820 on a regular 00:41:52.820 --> 00:41:53.280 basis 00:41:53.280 --> 00:41:54.240 asking the Lord 00:41:54.240 --> 00:41:55.059 Lord how do I 00:41:55.059 --> 00:41:55.679 honor you? 00:41:56.039 --> 00:41:57.220 How do I love you? 00:41:57.659 --> 00:41:58.500 How would you 00:41:58.500 --> 00:41:59.300 instruct me 00:41:59.300 --> 00:42:00.639 to walk 00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:01.220 through this 00:42:01.220 --> 00:42:01.800 circumstance 00:42:01.800 --> 00:42:04.079 this trial 00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:06.460 this opportunity? 00:42:11.200 --> 00:42:12.119 Do you rather 00:42:12.119 --> 00:42:13.220 let your life 00:42:13.220 --> 00:42:13.720 be filled 00:42:13.720 --> 00:42:14.659 with distractions 00:42:14.659 --> 00:42:16.500 things that 00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:17.340 drive you away 00:42:17.340 --> 00:42:18.100 from Jesus 00:42:18.100 --> 00:42:20.860 rather than 00:42:20.860 --> 00:42:21.300 filling them 00:42:21.300 --> 00:42:21.760 with things 00:42:21.760 --> 00:42:22.500 that drive you 00:42:22.500 --> 00:42:23.400 to Jesus 00:42:23.400 --> 00:42:24.280 and allow you 00:42:24.280 --> 00:42:24.700 to sit 00:42:24.700 --> 00:42:25.420 at his feet? 00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:27.720 This is what 00:42:27.720 --> 00:42:28.360 Mary did 00:42:28.360 --> 00:42:31.160 this is what 00:42:31.160 --> 00:42:32.100 Jesus commends 00:42:32.100 --> 00:42:37.480 so the basics 00:42:37.480 --> 00:42:40.440 easy 00:42:40.440 --> 00:42:42.180 yet hard 00:42:42.180 --> 00:42:43.620 simple 00:42:43.620 --> 00:42:44.680 yet complex 00:42:44.680 --> 00:42:47.100 love God 00:42:47.099 --> 00:42:47.420 and love 00:42:47.420 --> 00:42:47.860 your neighbor 00:42:47.860 --> 00:42:48.699 and there 00:42:48.699 --> 00:42:49.339 is a logical 00:42:49.339 --> 00:42:50.739 progression 00:42:50.739 --> 00:42:51.400 of course 00:42:51.400 --> 00:42:51.980 in this 00:42:51.980 --> 00:42:54.539 because it is 00:42:54.539 --> 00:42:55.679 that when we 00:42:55.679 --> 00:42:56.199 love God 00:42:56.199 --> 00:42:56.839 first 00:42:56.839 --> 00:42:59.239 that we are 00:42:59.239 --> 00:42:59.980 able to love 00:42:59.980 --> 00:43:00.599 our neighbor 00:43:00.599 --> 00:43:02.960 maybe 00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:03.380 I don't know 00:43:03.380 --> 00:43:03.880 if you've tried 00:43:03.880 --> 00:43:04.480 to love your 00:43:04.480 --> 00:43:05.019 neighbor on your 00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:05.679 own strength 00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:09.000 it's very humbling 00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:11.760 because you find 00:43:11.760 --> 00:43:12.340 that your love 00:43:12.340 --> 00:43:13.539 has very little 00:43:13.539 --> 00:43:16.000 steadfastness 00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:18.199 you find 00:43:18.199 --> 00:43:18.659 that you run 00:43:18.659 --> 00:43:19.139 out very 00:43:19.139 --> 00:43:19.519 quickly 00:43:19.519 --> 00:43:22.980 but Jesus 00:43:22.980 --> 00:43:24.099 comes to us 00:43:24.099 --> 00:43:26.239 as the perfect 00:43:26.239 --> 00:43:27.179 good Samaritan 00:43:27.179 --> 00:43:28.659 he comes 00:43:28.659 --> 00:43:29.139 as the one 00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:29.820 who pays 00:43:29.820 --> 00:43:30.760 the greatest 00:43:30.760 --> 00:43:31.340 cost 00:43:31.340 --> 00:43:31.940 for our 00:43:31.940 --> 00:43:32.460 salvation 00:43:32.460 --> 00:43:33.360 he's the one 00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:33.820 who shows 00:43:33.820 --> 00:43:34.539 the greatest 00:43:34.539 --> 00:43:35.199 love 00:43:35.199 --> 00:43:36.199 and compassion 00:43:36.199 --> 00:43:36.839 for us 00:43:36.839 --> 00:43:37.159 in our 00:43:37.159 --> 00:43:37.519 sin 00:43:37.519 --> 00:43:38.299 as he 00:43:38.299 --> 00:43:38.619 heads 00:43:38.619 --> 00:43:38.980 to the 00:43:38.980 --> 00:43:39.519 cross 00:43:39.519 --> 00:43:40.359 to die 00:43:40.359 --> 00:43:41.119 for us 00:43:41.119 --> 00:43:43.000 and he 00:43:43.000 --> 00:43:43.659 comes 00:43:43.659 --> 00:43:44.179 to give 00:43:44.179 --> 00:43:44.419 us 00:43:44.419 --> 00:43:44.839 then 00:43:44.839 --> 00:43:45.679 a new 00:43:45.679 --> 00:43:46.159 life 00:43:46.159 --> 00:43:47.039 to restore 00:43:47.039 --> 00:43:47.539 us 00:43:47.539 --> 00:43:48.439 into a 00:43:48.439 --> 00:43:48.699 right 00:43:48.699 --> 00:43:49.279 relationship 00:43:49.279 --> 00:43:49.879 with God 00:43:49.879 --> 00:43:50.259 whereby 00:43:50.259 --> 00:43:51.980 his love 00:43:51.980 --> 00:43:52.919 becomes 00:43:52.919 --> 00:43:53.980 the wellspring 00:43:53.980 --> 00:43:54.759 from which 00:43:54.759 --> 00:43:55.299 then we 00:43:55.299 --> 00:43:56.399 in response 00:43:56.399 --> 00:43:57.019 to him 00:43:57.019 --> 00:43:58.079 love him 00:43:58.079 --> 00:43:58.519 and then 00:43:58.519 --> 00:43:59.419 overflow 00:43:59.419 --> 00:44:00.000 with that 00:44:00.000 --> 00:44:00.359 love 00:44:00.359 --> 00:44:01.439 in love 00:44:01.439 --> 00:44:01.839 to our 00:44:01.839 --> 00:44:02.159 neighbors 00:44:02.159 --> 00:44:03.779 this is 00:44:03.779 --> 00:44:04.239 the pattern 00:44:04.239 --> 00:44:04.519 of the 00:44:04.519 --> 00:44:04.879 gospel 00:44:04.879 --> 00:44:05.299 this is 00:44:05.299 --> 00:44:05.779 the picture 00:44:05.779 --> 00:44:06.519 of what 00:44:06.519 --> 00:44:06.920 it means 00:44:06.920 --> 00:44:07.420 to be a 00:44:07.420 --> 00:44:07.920 disciple 00:44:07.920 --> 00:44:10.019 to do 00:44:10.019 --> 00:44:10.339 these 00:44:10.339 --> 00:44:10.920 things 00:44:10.920 --> 00:44:15.480 may it 00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:15.779 be so 00:44:15.779 --> 00:44:16.319 for us 00:44:16.319 --> 00:44:16.759 let's 00:44:16.759 --> 00:44:17.019 pray 00:44:17.019 --> 00:44:25.259 Lord we 00:44:25.259 --> 00:44:25.659 thank you 00:44:25.659 --> 00:44:26.059 for 00:44:26.059 --> 00:44:26.739 Jesus 00:44:26.739 --> 00:44:27.299 words 00:44:27.299 --> 00:44:28.920 Lord we 00:44:28.920 --> 00:44:29.299 pray 00:44:29.299 --> 00:44:30.420 I pray 00:44:30.420 --> 00:44:31.099 now that 00:44:31.099 --> 00:44:32.039 by your 00:44:32.039 --> 00:44:32.659 Holy Spirit 00:44:32.659 --> 00:44:33.259 you would 00:44:33.259 --> 00:44:33.579 take 00:44:33.579 --> 00:44:34.099 these 00:44:34.099 --> 00:44:35.279 texts 00:44:35.279 --> 00:44:36.759 and the 00:44:36.759 --> 00:44:37.159 questions 00:44:37.159 --> 00:44:37.519 that they 00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:38.119 have raised 00:44:38.119 --> 00:44:38.440 and the 00:44:38.440 --> 00:44:38.880 challenges 00:44:38.880 --> 00:44:39.279 that they 00:44:39.279 --> 00:44:39.880 put before 00:44:39.880 --> 00:44:40.319 us 00:44:40.319 --> 00:44:43.000 Lord that 00:44:43.000 --> 00:44:43.319 you would 00:44:43.319 --> 00:44:44.099 convict us 00:44:44.099 --> 00:44:44.460 of where 00:44:44.460 --> 00:44:44.900 we fall 00:44:44.900 --> 00:44:45.360 short 00:44:45.360 --> 00:44:46.019 where we 00:44:46.019 --> 00:44:46.199 have 00:44:46.199 --> 00:44:46.860 misunderstood 00:44:46.860 --> 00:44:47.860 where we 00:44:47.860 --> 00:44:48.299 have sought 00:44:48.299 --> 00:44:49.019 to justify 00:44:49.019 --> 00:44:49.839 ourselves 00:44:49.839 --> 00:44:50.900 where we 00:44:50.900 --> 00:44:51.360 have become 00:44:51.360 --> 00:44:51.980 comfortable 00:44:51.980 --> 00:44:52.659 in ways 00:44:52.659 --> 00:44:53.139 where we 00:44:53.139 --> 00:44:54.420 have lost 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.779 our 00:44:54.779 --> 00:44:55.279 willingness 00:44:55.279 --> 00:44:55.860 to be 00:44:55.860 --> 00:44:56.440 costly 00:44:56.440 --> 00:44:57.719 in our 00:44:57.719 --> 00:44:58.119 love for 00:44:58.119 --> 00:44:58.380 you 00:44:58.380 --> 00:44:58.759 and our 00:44:58.759 --> 00:44:59.179 love for 00:44:59.179 --> 00:44:59.599 others 00:44:59.599 --> 00:45:03.519 Lord renew 00:45:03.519 --> 00:45:03.940 in us 00:45:03.940 --> 00:45:04.440 a vision 00:45:04.440 --> 00:45:04.940 of how 00:45:04.940 --> 00:45:05.380 great 00:45:05.380 --> 00:45:05.599 your 00:45:05.599 --> 00:45:05.860 love 00:45:05.860 --> 00:45:06.199 is 00:45:06.199 --> 00:45:08.039 how 00:45:08.039 --> 00:45:08.440 worthy 00:45:08.440 --> 00:45:08.960 you are 00:45:08.960 --> 00:45:09.299 of all 00:45:09.299 --> 00:45:09.579 of our 00:45:09.579 --> 00:45:09.980 lives 00:45:09.980 --> 00:45:10.460 that we 00:45:10.460 --> 00:45:10.719 as 00:45:10.719 --> 00:45:11.639 disciples 00:45:11.639 --> 00:45:12.239 might sit 00:45:12.239 --> 00:45:12.539 at your 00:45:12.539 --> 00:45:12.900 feet 00:45:12.900 --> 00:45:14.059 and love 00:45:14.059 --> 00:45:14.480 you 00:45:14.480 --> 00:45:15.860 and love 00:45:15.860 --> 00:45:16.339 our 00:45:16.339 --> 00:45:16.659 neighbors 00:45:16.659 --> 00:45:17.279 for your 00:45:17.279 --> 00:45:17.639 sake 00:45:17.639 --> 00:45:18.839 and we 00:45:18.839 --> 00:45:19.319 pray this 00:45:19.319 --> 00:45:19.699 in Jesus 00:45:19.699 --> 00:45:20.119 name 00:45:20.119 --> 00:45:21.019 amen