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Vol. 3, No. 10 from Diversity Press

IF JESUS LIVED TODAY,
WOULD HE STILL ADVOCATE TOLERANCE?

(Luke 10:30-35; Luke 6:35-36) (Delivered 4-21-02)

After reading the Bible story about the Good Samaritan, the
Sunday School teacher asked, "Now, what does that story teach
us?" One little girl raised her hand and said, "It teaches us
that if I'm in trouble, you are supposed to help me!"
Well, most of us are like that. We are very self-centered
and ego-centric. We think of everything from our own viewpoint
and ask, "How will this affect me?" Also, if someone is not
like me, they're considered as the enemy.

That's natural and part of our survival instinct; but this
is an interactive world. We must get beyond our own concerns so
that we can also look out for the concerns of others. Paul
said, "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others"
(I Cor. 10:24).

We are becoming a very small planet. With new
communication channels and new transportation methods, anything
that happens to a person in one corner of the universe affects
all persons in every other area of the universe.

Tolerance is essential! Tolerance means that we must "live
and let live." But, it means more than that. It means we must
"live and help live!" Jesus inhabited a very prejudiced world
of racial, cultural, national and religious factions. The
Pharisees hated the Sadducees; the Jews hated the Gentiles.
They also hated the Publicans, the Romans, and especially the
Samaritans. Yet Jesus made one of these despised outcast,
heretical individuals the hero of his narrative.

Jesus was looking toward a world of increasing cultural and
religious diversity, when he told the wonderful story of the
Good Samaritan. Jesus said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem
to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They
stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him
half dead" (Luke 10:30).

Now, these robbers are obviously villains. Everyone knows
what they did was wrong. Few cultures condone violence and
theft. But there was more to the story. Jesus continued, "A
priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw
the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when
he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side"
(Luke 10:31-32).

These men were not villains. They were considered to be
upright citizens and religious leaders. But Jesus indicated
that it isn't only thieves who hurt others; it's also those who
neglect or refuse to help others. But, the theme of the story
is in the conclusion. It presents a very unlikely hero. Jesus
said, "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was;
and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and
bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the
man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the
innkeeper. `Look after him,' he said, `and when I return, I will
reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' " (Luke
10:33-35).

This was a shocking twist that probably caused a lot of
anger. Jesus made respected men like priests and Levites look
bad and a disreputable man like the low-class Samaritan look
good. That Samaritan was hated simply because he was of mixed
breed and unorthodox in religion. In fact, all Samaritans were
hated. The Jews, at that time, interpreted the command to "Love
thy neighbor" to mean only fellow Jews. They felt no obligation
to Gentiles or Samaritans.

Such bigotry is common even today. Some Christians read the
Bible this way: "God so loves good, conservative, moral people
like me." But it really says, "God so loved the world"-the
whole world; not just America; not just the white race; not just
the Christians- the whole world!

Why do you suppose Jesus told this story? What lessons
can we learn from this parable? What point was he making about
tolerance?

I. FIRST, HE WAS SAYING, "DON'T HURT OTHER PEOPLE."

The robbers were obviously evil and violent. They not only
took what the man had, they beat him and left him to die. Their
motto was: "What's yours is mine. I'll take it!"

Paul said, "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore
love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10).

We don't know the race or religion of the robbers, but
their actions were obviously wrong, both morally and legally.
Even so, Jesus emphasized that they weren't the only villains.

II. NEXT, HE WAS SAYING, "DON'T IGNORE OTHER PEOPLE'S NEEDS."

In a busy crowded world, it's easy to shut our eyes and
hearts to the problems around us. John Stuart Mills said, "A
person may cause evil to others by both his actions and his
inactions."

The Priest and the Levite didn't actually steal or attack
or inflict damage; but they did something just as bad. They
overlooked another's pain and avoided the inconvenience of
involvement. Their motto was: "What's mine is mine. I'll keep
it!"

Now, these men were both religious leaders and temple
employees, but they felt no empathy or sense of responsibility
for a dying man. This shows the low level of spirituality in
Jesus' day. They probably didn't even realize that they had
sinned, but James said, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he
ought to do and doesn't do it sins" (James 4:17).

We will be judged not only on the bad we do, but also on
the good we should have done and could have done, but didn't do.

III. FINALLY, HE WAS SAYING, "DON'T ENABLE OTHER PEOPLE'S
INDOLENCE."

This is a lesson in charity and benevolence, as well as
tolerance. The Samaritan did something! He actually went the
second mile. He delayed his journey and exerted physical effort
and made a financial sacrifice; but it's important to note he
didn't take on permanent responsibility for the injured man.
He lent a hand in his misfortune; but he didn't promise to
support him for the rest of his life. His motto was: "What's
mine is ours. We'll share it!"

Helping others is helping Christ. Jesus said, "The King
will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt.
25:40).

Paul said, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family
of believers" (Gal. 6:10).

But he also said, "When we were with you, we gave you this
rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat' " (II Thess.
3:10).

That's tough love! Now, what if this were today?

Would Jesus advise us to pick up every hitchhiker and stop to
change every stranded motorist's tire? Would he want us to take
in the homeless and give sandwiches to the hungry; or would he
want us to support agencies that provide rehabilitation and
training so they can become independent?

The main thing he would do is emphasize the social
principles of equality and compassion. He was far ahead of his
times, when it came to acceptance and tolerance. For instance,
when he helped the Roman Centurion, he didn't try to convert him
or correct his theology.

People may not realize it, but this man was regularly
sacrificing to the Emperor. This was a requirement of Roman
citizens and especially military men.

Yet, instead of criticizing his spiritual condition, Jesus
praised it. The Scripture says, "When Jesus heard this, he was
astonished and said, 'I have not found anyone in Israel with
such great faith' " (Matt. 8:10).

Did that include his parents and his own disciples?
Also, when he healed the Syro-Phoenician woman's daughter,
he didn't say, "Lady, you must get right with God first. You're
worshiping idols." On the contrary, again he praised her faith.
The Scripture says, "Then Jesus answered, 'Woman, you have great
faith!' . . ." (Matt. 15:28).

The issue of religious differences wasn't even discussed
and there's no indication that she changed her religion in order
to get this blessing. Jesus just cared about her and filled her
need, as she was! He said, " 'Your request is granted.' And
her daughter was healed from that very hour"(Matt. 15:28).
So, we're not sure how Jesus would react in every situation
if he lived in America today instead of Palestine over 2000
years ago; but there are some broad principles he would
certainly follow:

1. FIRST, HE WOULD NOT HURT PEOPLE.

"To do no harm" is the basis of the Hippocratic Oath taken
by every medical doctor. It's obvious that we must not be
involved in murder or theft or violence. We may not be able to
fix every problem in the world; but we can certainly avoid
creating new ones or making the old ones worse.
Paul said, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful
to do what is right in the eyes of everybody" (Rom. 12:17).
Peter said, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with
insult, but with blessing . . ." (I Peter 3:9).

2. NEXT, HE WOULD NOT IGNORE OTHER PEOPLE'S NEEDS.

Jesus would not be apathetic about social problems. He
would be an active citizen, working for good legislation
concerning poverty issues, child abuse, the elderly, the
handicapped and the victims of crime. He would be sensitive to
others, and he would extend appropriate aid. The opposite of
love isn't necessarily hatred. Often it's apathy! Jesus said,
"Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8).
Paul said, "We who are strong ought to bear with the
failings of the weak . . ." (Rom. 15:1);

John said, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his
brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God
be in him?" (I John 3:17).

3. FINALLY, HE WOULD NOT ENABLE OTHER PEOPLE'S INDOLENCE.

As Christians, we must be kind; but we must also be
realistic. We can't live others' lives. We can't be overly
indulgent to those who are irresponsible. Enabling people to
continue in helplessness is wrong. Doing for others what they
should be doing for themselves actually makes things worse.
Jesus didn't go around handing out money then, and he wouldn't
do it now.

Paul said, "Each of us will give an account of himself to
God" (Rom. 14:12).

He even went so far as to say, "If a man will not work, he
shall not eat" (II Thess. 3:10).

Now, if we're to take the Gospel seriously, what does this
mean for us?

Remember the Scripture says, "Whoever claims to live in him must
walk as Jesus did" (I John 2:6).

If Jesus lived today he would be an unprejudiced, caring
and active citizen. A certain little boy had never seen a black
person. So, at his day care center. He was curious about the
black custodian.

One day the boy touched his own face and the dark face of
his friend. Then he uttered a profound truth: "Oh! That's
just skin."

In the days following the Civil War an incident took place
in a church in Virginia where blacks had not yet been forced
into "their own place of worship." General Robert E. Lee
attended, and as Communion was about to be celebrated, an
ex-slave went forward to the alter. The white Christians
remained in their pews, shocked and resentful. Then Lee went
forward and knelt beside the black man.

We are equal in the sight of God.

Do you have empathy for all people? Jesus did!

Do you make positive contributions to your church and
community? Jesus did!

Do you work for long term social improvement rather then
enabling others to remain dependent? Jesus did!

Sir Walter Scott said, "The race of mankind would perish if
they ceased aiding each other. We cannot survive without mutual
concern and charity."

Tolerance is essential.

Will you try to overcome prejudice and look at people
through Jesus' eyes and meet their needs?
*********

These messages are from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted
by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. Please use them in
any way you think appropriate. The only thing we ask is that
you give credit for original material in published works.

EMAIL SERMON SERVICE is a free service from Diversity Press.
Material in our sermons usually present the Gospel from a
non-Fundamentalist, psychological point of view. They should be
readily adaptable for ALL denominations and even secular
occasions by omitting the Scriptures.

My ministry has been blessed immeasurably by reading other
people's sermons. When I started preaching 54 years ago, I
waited for "inspiration" before I began my sermon preparation
(usually Saturday night, about midnight). Then, I discovered it
wasn't inspiration at all-it was sheer PANIC. I would have
welcomed this service.

Miles Wesner