25/01/2020
'But a Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds…' (Luke 10:33-34)
It’s a special moment for parents when our children begin to take responsibility. In their early years we give them tasks to do around the house, like washing dishes or shovelling snow. They do the tasks as assigned and we applaud them. There comes a moment, however, when our children see a need and do something, without being asked. They may see a friend who is hurting, and do their best to console. They may see a neighbour having difficulty crossing the street, and do their best to help her. It’s a special moment when young people take responsibility on their own initiative.
We are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan. A lawyer asks Jesus to define the meaning of neighbour so that his love can be kept within the boundaries of that definition. Jesus doesn’t answer the question directly, but responds by engaging the imagination. In his telling of the parable, a man travels a dangerous road and is jumped upon by thieves. He is stripped, beaten, and left to die. Religious leaders see him, but fail to take responsibility. They have defined the meaning of neighbour and it limits their compassion. A Samaritan comes upon the same man, but he does take responsibility. The Samaritan bandages the wounds, and takes the victim to a place of recuperation. The Samaritan expresses mercy. Such compassion is costly. Such compassion also builds a neighbourhood; it is inclusive. The parable tells us no more about the wounded traveller, nor the Samaritan. Neither does Luke tell us what happened to the lawyer who asked the question. We are left to live out the story, to 'go and do likewise'.
For the past 155 years The Salvation Army has been living this story by taking responsibility when and where we can. We have bandaged wounds. We have cared for people sleeping under bridges. We have built neighbourhoods. This is God’s mission. And because it is God’s mission it becomes our mission. We take responsibility to realise God’s mission in our world because the God we know in Christ has stepped into our world with compassionate love.
Recent weeks have witnessed deep wounds in our world. The horrific shooting of the Ukrainian Flight 752 has left many families wounded. Fires in Australia have taken lives, destroyed homes and depleted species of animals. Salvationists have done what we can; we have taken responsibility where we can.
However, it is also the case that in taking responsibility, in exercising costly compassion, we too are impacted. As we have sought to bandage the wounded, some of us have also been wounded. We have felt the pain of others; we have taken on the wounds of others. As a result we also need to know that God’s grace will bring healing to our own lives. May it be so, even as we pray for each other.
When shall I come unto the healing waters?
Lifting my heart, I cry to thee my prayer.
Spirit of peace, my Comforter and healer,
In whom my springs are found, let my soul meet thee there.
From a hill I know,
Healing waters flow;
O rise, Immanuel’s tide,
And my soul overflow!
(Albert Orsborn, Salvation Army Song Book)
