Word On The Street: Compassion

Take at least 2 minutes to read Luke 10:25-37 for this week’s passage of the “Word On The Street”.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is probably one of the famous stories in the Bible. Christians and non-Christians (secularism) know this story and have implemented into the culture. The concept of the “Good Samaritan” is found in the “Good Samaritan law”, helping others and cleaning up the mess in the riot, and I don’t know how many “Good Samaritan _____  “(fill in the blank) there are. Hopefully some of you know what the story is about, but we often miss the main point of the story.

It started out with a lawyer asking Jesus what it takes to go to heaven. Jesus asked, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” The lawyer answered the Great Commandment. Since the lawyer answered correctly, he must apply it. The lawyer wanted to justify himself. What did he mean “justify himself”? To be show what is just and to be made right. Why did he want to “justify himself”? He asked Jesus a question, “Who is my neighbour?” As deceitful and clever this lawyer was, he tried to escape the responsibility of not loving those who are “non-neighbour”, such as the poor, the sinners, the sick, the lame, and those who are in the lower social classes.

Jesus told a story to show an example of what a neighbour is like. A man from Jerusalem got mugged by robbers. There were three people who Jesus talked about: Priest, Levite, and Samaritan. Priest is a descendant of Aaron who had priestly responsibilities in the Jerusalem temple. He saw the man wounded but he passed by on the other side, which was to describe his unwillingness to love his neighbor. Levite is a member of the tribe of Levi but not a descendant of Aaron and therefore not a priest. The Levites were the ones who assisted the priests. He also passed by the man. Then came a Samaritan. Culturally, it would have been unthinkable for a Samaritan to help a Jew (the wounded man could have been a Jew because he is coming from Jerusalem) because Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Jesus, however, emphasized the point that to love your neighbor involved showing care and compassion even to those who would not have any normal relationship or to those who are undeserving to be loved and cared for. The Samaritan ministered and helped the injured man by setting “him on his own animal” because he’s probably too injured to walk, brought him to an inn and paid for the fees because he’s been mugged and has nothing left, and extending whatever more cost and care may be needed for this Jew. On the extended note, two denarii were equivalent of two days salary; therefore, it showed that the Samaritan was willing to sacrifice his money and energy for the well-being of the Jew. Jesus ended with this question, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” And we can all answer: “The Good Samaritan”.

I want to make a personal note that I don’t agree that there is a “Good Samaritan”. The headline of your Bible may say that “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”, but Jesus never said the Samaritan was good although he did demonstrate love and kindness. I think, perhaps, that the “Good Samaritan” was able to show love and compassion for his neighbor was because God showed compassion and love toward him in the first place, if he ever existed. Because of the grace of God, the Samaritan’s heart and mind was able to be changed and renewed by the Holy Spirit. No one is good besides God. No one is righteous besides God. Why did Jesus tell us this parable then? It is to show how the “wise and understanding” (the religious leaders who thinks they are good and self-righteous) do not understand even the simplest commands of Scripture. We too fall short like the lawyer. Like the lawyer, we try to justify ourselves by picking and choosing who our neighbours are. How about the man or woman living in E Hastings and doing drugs and sleeping street? Do they need compassion and need to be loved? How about a new person coming into the youth Sunday School or small group or Bible study and we ignore him or her because we like to be comfortable with the friends we know? Does he or she need compassion and need to be loved?

The gospel is a better news than just helping the poor and paying their hotel fees. It is about Jesus. I think that Jesus wanted to us to see ourselves in the story. Who did the injured man represent? I think it would be, in the context of the Bible, the sinners, the lame, the sick, and living in the lower social class (like you and I spiritually speaking). Who did the priest and Levite represent? The religious leaders. Throughout the story of the gospel, the Pharisees never cared about the sinner and didn’t even want to interact with them because they were afraid that it would defile them. They would condemn people like hypocrites for not seeing the plank in their own eyes. In John 8, Jesus was with the prostitute who was about to be stoned by the Pharisees. It shows that being religious doesn’t work.

Jesus not only taught about “loving your neighbor as yourself”, but He fulfills that command in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5). It is about Jesus loving the world by demonstrating His love on the cross. Jesus loves those who hated Him. Jesus loves those who are affected by culture (John 4). Jesus loves those who persecuted Him. On the cross, He told the Father to forgive them because they don’t know what they were doing.

Apart from Jesus, if we think that by doing good works will label us as “good” and “righteous” people, then don’t be fooled by the religious culture we are living in. Apart from Jesus, all our good deeds are like garbage. I’m not saying don’t help people and stop doing good, but if Jesus has renewed your heart and mind, then all the good deeds you do are no longer for yourself, but for Jesus Christ. Instead of asking an improper question, “Who is my neighbor?” we should ask, “How can I be a loving neighbor?”

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” (Luke 6:27; 30)

Journey With Me (Day 5)

May 10th, 2011

It is 8:20pm, and I am, surprisingly, not tired/sleepy. Today has been an awesome adventure in terms of doing the regular stuff. God has blessed me and Justin the time we get to spend together. We went to another campus to meet more friends. I am glad that we were able to meet those who spoke good English. Nonetheless, I was grateful to be able to make numerous amount of friends. Additionally, one of our friends invited us to his English class, so we joined in. Personally, I found that to be very interesting compared to my IAT classes. Some of the discussions that me and my groups talked about was, "What does it mean to be a successful student." It's a great seeing different students present their ideas and it furthered our understanding of the culture in the classroom setting. They were very nice people and I'm glad to meet them, and hopefully get to hangout. Furthermore, there were two students that stood out to me. He reads a lot of novels and also like to spend time alone, and he also mentioned about the Bible. Another was very philosophical in seeking the purpose of life.

On the fun note, my family was lost in finding out which bus to take. We didn't know which side was the correct direction, so we crossed the street 4 times to discover our route back to campus. Sadly, we walked back instead, but it was a fun experience with laughers and excitement. Hopefully people didn't think of us as maniacs crossing the street multiple times.

We had dinner right across the campus, and they were delicious. But people spat on the floor and smoking in the restaurant, which was gross. Overall, we had fun being funny with each other. however, it's still the beginning, and I'm looking forward to what will happen.

Justin asked me if I miss Alison. Honestly, I do miss her. Hope that she's alright and doing well with her family and her relationship with God. I guess she missed me more, but we're united in the same body of Christ. I will write a letter to her soon.

Word On The Street: Gratitude

Take at least 2 minutes to read Matthew 20:1-16 for this week’s passage of the “Word On The Street”.

As Jesus taught in the parable, the landowner teaches the laborers to be thankful with wages they received. The landowner clearly promised the laborers that the deal was to give them a denarius (a typical day’s wage for a laborer) a day. The landowner, however, did not say denarius per hour. When the laborer came in the last hour before laborers need to get off work, he too got the denarius as the ones who worked from morning at 6am, 9am, 12pm...and so on.  The workers grumbled at the landowner for being unfair because he gave the same wage as to the one who worked only for an hour while they worked for 12 hours. The landowner reminded them, “‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? (v.13 ESV)” That’s the deal my friend! He continues saying, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what BELONGS to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” The reward (the wages) belongs to the landowner, and he explained the fairness of his actions. Begrudge (or envious NIV) literally means, “Is your eye evil?” Instead of being thankful for their wages, they have been blinded by their own self-interested lack of compassion for his fellow worker who needed a job (v.7).

I’ll be asking this question for this post and for the next four weeks: What does this have to do with the gospel?

Jesus is not just an idea originated from the western culture. That is the biggest mistake and assumption that people make regarding Jesus. Jesus was a God becoming a man and was born in Asia in a place called Bethlehem. Anybody can believe in Jesus whether if you’re an Asian, Caucasian, African and every race and tribe and tongue and nation. This parable displays God’s generosity to give salvation to anybody whom Jesus saves whether if they are young or old. Some of us became Christians when we’re young. There are some who would become Christians later on in our life. Some would become Christians a moment before they die. What? Jesus can save those an hour before they die? Yes! But that’s not fair! What about the things they did in the past? Stealing, murder, rebellion, sexual immorality, and etc. Take this parable as a warning from Jesus. Do NOT despise those who would come to faith later. We are no different from them because we are all sinners and we have once been on their shoes before. As Jesus teaches, “So the last will be first, and the first last.” As Christians, we should never measure our worth by comparing it with other’s accomplishments. For example, I helped around the church longer than this person did, so I think God should reward me more. Being a Christian is not about getting a bigger reward than others, but it is about where our heart is at when we serve God. Does our serving focus from a heart of gratitude and joy in RESPONSE to God’s grace to us? Basically, do we love God because Jesus saved us by dying on the cross for our sins, from the wrath of God, resurrecting from the grave to give us new life. Those who are Christians will get the same reward. If you’re a Christian, then you and I will get the same reward when we get to heaven. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

This parable is an amazing story that Jesus taught, and it can relate to us in a personal level. If you’re not a Christian yet, by God’s mercy and grace, Jesus welcomes you. Let our attitudes be changed to gratitude by believing in what Jesus has done for you and I and accept His forgiveness, inviting the Holy Spirit to regenerate you, and to convict us of sin, and repent of sin.

"Religion will change your outer behaviors, but grace will change your heart."

"If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:14-15 ESV)

VBS: Words On The Street

This week, from Tuesday until Saturday (Aug 2nd - Aug 6th), Oakridge Children’s Ministry will be hosting Vacation Bible School! It’s very exciting to see children coming to our church, having fun, making friends, learning the parables in the Bible, and getting to know our awesome Savior Jesus Christ.

The children will basically be learning about 5 words based on the parable lessons being taught: Gratitude, Compassion, Grace, Forgiveness, and Faithfulness. These lessons may be simple knowledge for our Christian life, but not easy to apply them in our day-to-day basis. For the next 5 weeks, through the reliance of the Holy Spirit, I will try to explain each word through the teachings of Jesus - the parables - and how it all points to the gospel.

5 Questions to think about:
What are you thankful for each day?
How do you deal with someone who is in need?
Is there someone, who usually ticks you off, you need to show love?
Is there someone who you need to forgive?
How is your walk with Jesus Christ?

Journey With Me (Day 4)

May 9th, 2011

Not as I will, but your will. This morning, I went to exercise again with Djastin, Zach, Megan and Angel. My muscles are very sore from the exercise in Day 3, so I wasn't able to use my arms effectively. Today, it was my first class with my classmates, and I learned a little bit. I am excited to learn the language so I could speak it to people, and maybe with Alison when we get together. Afterward, I get the chance to have lunch with more people, and the foods were delicious. This place does have good food afterall!

PTL! I get the opportunity to make friends with Shay. The campus is very nice and beautiful with well-structured environment. Kind of like UBC campus. A lot of students were very friendly...well, only to Shay. Oh well, I'm very exhausted, especially my legs. During dinner time, Megan asked me how I am coping with my constipation. Oh yeah, I am experiencing that, which is not good. Hopefully I'll stay healthy.

Anyhow, it's is 8pm right now and I am feeling sleepy and exhausted. My relationship with God is very important and I desperately need to set that as my first priority. Looking forward to seeing what will be in-stored for us.