Happy Hummingbirds Hover, Bathe, and Scrutinize. When You Are Done with Your Shower, Let Me Know

 

 Hummingbirds show off their aerial acrobatics. Painting by Norma A. Boeckler.

I often step out the front door to see developments in the rose garden, especially when sprinkling. Recently I opened the door to find a hummingbird getting his shower, happily flapping a bit on a big Hosta, and flitting around in the artificial rain. I smiled at his antics and he continued them. His antics suggested he was grinning to thank me.

Yesterday I sat in Ranger Bob's chair, because the sprinkling left the outdoor bench cushion soaked. That put me about a foot from the closest feeder, which is often visited by our friends. I was scanning garden areas to fix and places for more daffodils when a Humming bird swooped in to hover about 12 inches from my knees. He might have stayed to feed, but he tested several times for safety and left for the maple tree perch.

Never Read Luther, Quest Continues Its Endless Pursuit of Dogmatic Error

 

Check Romans 4, which uses Abraham's Justification by Faith as an example, showing his Justification by Faith was not his alone but all those who believed in Him who raised Jesus from the dead. Then the comatose, poorly trained Missouri mules use 4:25 to claim the entire world, yea even the Inuits, were absolved of all sin the moment Jesus rose from the dead.

Steve Ames (Sames) Senior Member Username: Sames Post Number: 1819 Registered: 11-2004

Posted on Friday, September 03, 2021 - 9:00 am:       Dick Rockenbach: “it seems to me the LCMS was in merger mode with both the WELS and ALC and when the ALC began to ordain Women WELS immediately withdrew merger efforts with the LCMS.” Mr. Rockenbach, it is hurtful and offensive to suggest that the WELS would ever have considered merger with the ALC or tolerated the LCMS merging with the ALC. The short-hand explanation that the WELS broke church fellowship with the LCMS over fellowship leaves out the more troubling aspect of the LCMS practice of fellowship. That is for the LCMS what constitutes agreement on doctrine for the establishment of church fellowship. A WELS paper given in 1954 identified the false doctrine of the ALC as: • Rejection of the teaching of Objective Justification • Man cooperates in his conversion • The doctrine of Election as solely God from eternity knowing who would come to faith -- in view of faith • Inerrancy of the Bible as an open question • Rejection of papacy as the Anti-Christ “The Inadequacy of the Common Confession as a Settlement of Past Differences” -- By Ernst H. Wendland -- August 8-10, 1954 http://essays.wisluthsem.org:8080/bitstream/handle /123456789/670/WendlandDifferences.pdf?sequence=1& isAllowed=y

 This Inuit girl (Eskimo) is carrying her husky puppy.

The Latin for "in view of faith" is Intuitu Fidei. Somehow a graduate of the greatest seminary on earth, with its own annual hazing ritual, managed to turn the phrase into Inuitu Fidei, which comes comes to The Faith of the Inuits (Eskimo). Scholars are divided, because the Glende fractured Latin phrase can be understood several ways at once, like his famous lawsuit.

Missouri addressed this in a classic roundabout, befuddled way - "There is no Scripture warrant for it, and though the phrase is capable of correct interpretation, it can be seriously misunderstood."

Missouri promoted this because CFW Walther knew more Latin than Scripture and barely knew the Biblical languages. 

Chip-Wrecked! Auto Industry

 

So many newly made cars and trucks are short of chips, they are called "dead vehicles." They sit in fields, unable to start, waiting for their prince to come - the chip installer.

 Josie and Alex tried a motorcycle video game after seeing Chip Wrecked, The Movie, 2012.

 Make fun of my 2002 Voyager while I sip some lemonade.

They should have stored up their chips early, instead of relying on just-in-time assembly lines.

Moliners Welcomed Christina

My wife Christina always enjoyed going to Moline reunions. Her high school was closed in South Bend. 

She was welcomed by everyone from MHS. Kris Streed was very helpful in regards to cancer treatments. Christina and Jorja Hepner Beert had a great time talking. Jorja wrote to me, "SO wish I could have  hugged  her   one more  time ! it  was   the first hug  she gave me  that  calmed me  and  gave  me  strength.   THAT day (  first day met her in person) will  stay with me  always .."

We were asked to dinner with Linda Nelson Pearson and her late husband Dave.

We had a personal tour of Perryville (LCMS' Holy Land) with Mayor Debbie Mitchell Gahan.

Ranger Bob says, "Live every day like it's your last day on earth."

When Larry Easter visited us in Phoenix, we did not realize it was the last time we would see him.

Pearl-Clutching Panic - Steadfast Lutherans (Ha!) and Calvinist News Share Headline Outrage

 

 Four fish-hats, gold white and red stoles, and one red Webber-approved chasuble prove that true unity has not been achieved, despite many years of coffee and danish.

"Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and Ski."

 Note - you hair-splitters! It does not count as fellowship if someone lines up with all the bishops and is only wearing a Friar Tuck clergy shirt. I wonder if they took 45 photos so each potentate could pose in the central position.

Steadfast Lutherans (sic) and Calvinist News have jointly condemned the Rev. Dr. Matt Harrison for participating in the enthronement of a bishop LCMS is already fellowshipping. However, two of these consecrated and consecrating men were found to be not kosher, and they snuck into this ceremony with little cat feet. OK, they were invited, but facts do not matter when painting the front page with alarms and diversions.

I do not have a decent Drudge siren to announce this debacle, so I am posting the pearl-clutching woman as a symbol of LCMS-WELS-ELS plans to ordain women after they have wrecked everything else.

The basis for unity in the Book of Concord - remember that from seminary? - is the Chief Article of Christianity, Justification by Faith.

These groups are unified against Justification by Faith. That may vary. LCMS-ELS-WELS are united by Objective Justification, but that is largely a Midwestern folly that sticks to them like the sticky sweat of August humidity. However, the Europeans are enchanted by the era of Barth, Bultmann, and rationalism. 

 The LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) leaders who reject this confession, which cites Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz, call themselves "confessional" (hahaha), "orthodox" (hold my Maalox), and "conservative" (lah-dee-dah).

The Actual, Factual Fellowship Scandal

The real offense is not standing near the bishops from the two micro-synods, but Missouri's illicit, brazen marital relations with ELCA, bottled in bond by Thrivent Insurance.

Quick quiz -

1. How many genders exist among humans?
2. What did Paul say about pastors in 1 Timothy 2?
3. What are the Names of the Trinity?
4. Is the Bible full of miracles or myths? 

By participating with ELCA in joint religious projects - including worship - the LCMS has repudiated its own imaginary confessional status.

We all know that many Missouri pastors agree with ELCA on most points of apostasy. Some realize that the Seminex spirit is strong in WELS, too. After all, Jungkuntz was loved by many students at NWC, and so was Gehrke. They were Seminex pioneers.

So what do we have in these shrieking front page stories from the Deadlast Lutherans and the cub editor of Christian News? They are prime examples of the hypocrisy of Pietism. That allows people indifferent to Biblical doctrine to engage in the invented sacraments  of stink-eye and shunning. 

 You are not from Wisconsin? 

 You have departed from what you were taught at Mordor!

Double stink-eye. Begone!

Recovering Lost Truths - Missouri and WELS Once Taught Justification by Faith. No, Really They Did.

 

I stopped by our chapel this morning. I like to start early on the Epistle and Gospel, so I can start planning hymns and the sermon. We use the historic readings, which go back to the earliest days, not Rome's three-year cycle, which all the Lutherans follow. The excuse was that ministers grew tired of using the same lessons year after year. How could they? ELCA preached social activism and WELS-ELS-LCMS on the glories of Holy Mother Synod. Has anything changed? 

Writing Thy Strong Word - 21 years ago - proved to me that the so-called Lutherans were not teaching from the Scriptures or studying the Word at all. They fell into the pool of melted metal called dogmatics. In Lutherdom, that began nobly with men like Chemnitz and Gerhard dealing with topics like the Trinity, the Sacraments, with Scriptural exposition. 

That explains why Walther and his spear-carriers avoided Luther and despised Melanchthon. Both Reformation leaders could defend Justification by Faith from the Scriptures alone, either with thunderbolts or perfectly clear explanations. 

The dogmaticians loved most by the false teachers of today - the OJists and Church Growthists - are as far away from the Scriptures as possible. Walther pushed Baier, who is best known for being promoted - yet edited conveniently - by CFW himself. Something is true because Baier wrote it? I imagine that few today could offer more than a five second bio of Baier. Jay Webber's favorite is a known Pietist and Objective Justification source, possibly more obscure than Baier.

[Webber quoting Marquart naming Pieper genuflecting to Walther citing Baier] - 

The 1872 essay itself documented its continuity with standard-bearers like Quistorp, Gerhard, “Rohrberg” (which Hardt, p. 77, corrects to “Norborg”) and others (my translation, pp. 21 ff.). Hoenecke was right: “Of universal justification our dogmaticians do not treat separately [besonders], but they do [treat of it] occasionally” (Dogmatik III:354).¹²

 Missouri, WELS, and ELCA mocked the Reformation and celebrated themselves.

 Calvin, Rambach, and Stephan gave Lutherdom Objective Justification and dogmatic STDs.

 Look for this at your local Goodwill store.

The Preus Crime Family ran on the same agenda, piling up dogmatics citations and slogans based on mis-interpreting the Scriptures. The results today are a 400 page enormously large Small Catechism and the boggy, verbose, Dogma-tanic. 

Book Review of Thy Strong Word

Gerald Parker

5.0 out of 5 stars Magisterial Defense of Truly Confessional Lutheranism

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2007

Verified Purchase

I am a layman, not a theologian, but I have read fairly widely in the literature of Lutheranism, my heritage faith, so I do not hesitate to praise with the highest encomia possible this very fine and much-needed book that refutes the errors of latter-day North American Lutheranism, alike the unbelieving "liberalism" of the E.L.C.A. and E.L.C.i.C. as well as the pseudo-conservatism (which falsely poses as Confessional) of the denominations deriving from the old Synodical Conference (most notably the L.C.M.S., W.E.L.S., E.L.S., and the L.C.M.S.' sister sect, the Lutheran Church Canada), which have betrayed genuine Confessional Lutheranism with their bizarre speculations embodied in the theological paradigm of "Universal Objective Justification and Subjective Justication" (U.O.J.), which Ptr. Dr. Gregory Lee Jackson anathematises and disproves, as well he should do, showing these heinous false speculative ideas to be being neither Scriptural nor Confessional, and, hence, not genuinely Lutheran at all. (Coming back to this review to revise it some, I would point out that Jackson has written and published a separate book, one that handles the matter suberbly, on the U.O.J. heresy, titled "Luther versus the U.O.J. Pietists: Justification by Faith".) Jackson also scathingly and realistically savages the venal "Church Growth Movement" tendencies in all forms of this hemisphere's Lutheranism, liberal and pseudo-confessional alike.

There are magnificent defenses of "genesio-Lutheran" Confessional teaching versus the claims of what Ptr. Dr. Jackson calls the "Reformed" (by which he includes all non-Lutheran Protestantism and sectarianism, rather than only, more properly, the teaching of other genuinely Protestant churches that follow the doctrinal teachings of Martin Bucer, especially, and of Jean Calvin, as well as the Three Forms of Unity and Westminster Standards that so principally, soundly, and moderately codify them confessionally). Jackson's defense of the Lutheran and hence Orthodox Christian "Means of Grace" is a stunning refutation of the claims of Baptists, Pentecostals/Charismatics, the loud-mouthed "Fundamentalists" who are so fundamentally wrong, the so-called "Neo-Evangelicals", Campbellites/"Restorationists", and other "cheap white [or black] theological trash") by explicating from the Scriptures (using, wisely, the Authorised "King James" Version, free of the sectarian bias that afflicts to one degree or another the modern versions in English of the Bible) the true Lutheran and biblical teaching about Holy Baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion, Mass). For the fine defense of Lutheran sacramental theology alone this book would be worth the purchase, but there is so much more as well!

A fault, a minor but nonetheless somewhat irritating one, is Jackson's intemperately vituperative assaults on other Lutherans and their squabbles and peccadillos over relatively minor matters of turf, petty corruption, and so forth which, really, are of only passing interest or importance compared to the major issues that this book addresses, something that inevitably will cause this book become a bit dated in that regard. (That said, though, Jackson`s comments on such matters are reasonable and, I believe, true.) Dr. Jackson's book is already a classic of Lutheran exegesis and sound doctrinal teaching.

A note of warning is in store for those who purchase the book second-hand; the earliest printing of this book had some pagination and binding irregularities, but even a copy with these defects is worth having, since they do not affect any of the most important passaages of the book.

Someone Asked about Books

 

 These plans for a new chapel have been squelched by the finance committee.

I am working on two books in September. One will be the second edition of The Bible Book: The KJV Reborn for Those Who Love the Word of God. Some improvements will be:

1. Fixing a few dozen typos.
2. Improving the sections and the Table of Contents.
3. Consistencies in using KJV with quotes (all KJV verses labeled as such).
4. More about the KJV itself and why it remains the standard.
5. Individual pieces about significant good and bad guys.

We have a fund with $900 for promoting the KJV. I plan to use that with packages of KJV books (for one thing) and KJVs where needed. For instance, we can send the four or five best books on the KJV at one time, giving a balanced and clear view of the situation. 

The other book will be Lutheran Christina: Memories about a Pastor's Wife. That will include a basic bio, but also observations about Christina Jackson glorifying God in her work with individuals.

So Many To Thank

 

There are too many names to thank at 4 AM. After Christina's funeral we went to a restaurant and friends spoke about their experiences with a remarkable, patient, and loving Christian. I would have said something myself, but I would not have gotten past the fourth word. I am sure others had the same feelings. I enjoyed hearing what friends had to say.

Redemption and Eternal Life are the central themes of life. Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress is well known to our group. We have read and studied the second most printed book in English after the King James Bible. Because The Pilgrim's Progress is so completely Biblical, we can all identify where we are and have been in that work.

 

CHRISTIAN. We, indeed, came both together, until we came at the Slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbour, Pliable, discouraged, and would not venture further. Wherefore, getting out again on that side next to his own house, he told me I should possess the brave country alone for him; so he went his way, and I came mine--he after Obstinate, and I to this gate.

The most unlikely person turned to me with a grin he could not suppress, "That Shrader guy, the preacher. He is really good. I like what he said, those quotes from Luther, and how he really gave a great lesson." Of all the people there, that was the least expected and most startling in a joyous way. Ministers expect the faithful to respond to the Gospel - those with decades of experience in church, Bible study, conferences, and home study. 

Pastor Shrader and your dear wife Chris - you drove down here in spite of illness and physical difficulties. You delivered a sermon about the Christian Faith that bypassed decades of  personal hurt, physical abuse and suffering, menial work, crushing wounds caused by fake Christians. Aiming at truth, the Word bypassed all those obstacles and landed in one person's heart.

Some preachers are very popular and are often quoted. Some become wealthy for nefarious reasons. Others are ground up by the remorseless march toward apostasy and the Last Days. God only knows who loves the truth and spends the energy to hand the unhidden Treasures of the Gospel. In the end, God only can know. But the evidence is there. 

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, 2021. The Good Samaritan.

 Norma A. Boeckler

 

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, 2021

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Daylight Time

The Hymn #605             The World Is Very Evil            

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Have respect, O Lord, unto Thy covenant: 

oh, let not the oppressed return ashamed!

Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause: 

and forget not the voice of Thine enemies.

Psalm. O God, why hast Thou cast us off forever? 

Why doth Thine anger smoke against the sheep of Thy pasture?

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Have respect, O Lord, unto Thy covenant: 

oh, let not the oppressed return ashamed!

V. Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause: 

and forget not the voice of Thine enemies. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. O Lord God of my salvation: 

I have cried day and night before Thee. Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn # 347                 Jesus Priceless Treasure

 Jesus is the Good Samaritan

The Communion Hymn #292                   Lord Jesus Christ

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #660              I'm But a Stranger Here 

Prayers and Announcements

• The flowers on the altar are from Augsburg Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, in memory of Christina Jackson. Many arrangements were distributed at the graveside ceremony.
• Andrea's third birthday is coming up.
• In treatment: John Hicks.
• Medical care: Pastor Jim Shrader and his wife Chris; Dr. Kermit and Dr. Marie Way.

Thank You!

Pastor Jim Shrader (preacher) his wife Chris Shrader (organ), Zach Engleman, liturgist.

 Thank you for the visits and help for Christina Jackson's funeral - Dr. and Mrs. Kermit Way (Maria, her younger sister); Robert Northcut (neighbor); Seth Adams (MG Group); Allen and Kris Jackson (Gregory's brother); Dottie Hagar's family; Martin and Tammy Jackson, Josie, Danielle, Alex (son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren); Pat and John (neighbors); Karen (neighbor), Bill Blumenschein (friend); Terry and Lori Howell (members); Alec Satin (Lutheran Librarian, member, Lutheran Publishing Ministry).

 Norma A. Boeckler

        

KJV Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

KJV Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 An by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Click here for Luther’s Sermons on the Good Samaritan

Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank Thee that Thou hast granted us to live in this accepted time, when we may hear Thy holy gospel, know Thy fatherly will, and behold Thy Son, Jesus Christ! We pray Thee, most merciful Father: Let the light of Thy holy word remain with us, and so govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may never forsake Thy word, but remain steadfast in it, and finally obtain eternal salvation; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen. 

Jesus is the Good Samaritan

Introductory

The opening verses are especially true today, because the correct explanation of the Good Samaritan has been taught, but is largely lost today. Now - we are the Good Samaritan. We are ordered to make the world a better place. The problem is - we have not done enough.

If people hear this parable in the modern setting, they can only despair, because there are so many individual actions they must copy - and work, work, work. 

Simply understanding the parable puts listening in the top 1% of all those who have heard the parable and comprehend it. Jesus is the Good Samaritan. All other explanations are completely wrong.

KJV Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The basic Gospel - Isaiah 53 - plants faith in the hearts who hear it for the first time, whether as babies or as adults. Faith alone, the work of the Holy Spirit can do this, because man unaided cannot grasp the Gospel or get a clear view of it. So, if you grasp this today, you know what kings and prophets never learned in their day - or social workers in our day - that Jesus is the topic, as He is through the Bible from Genesis 1:1 onward.

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

The lawyer is an expert in Jewish law. The back and forth between Teacher and audience member is basic to Judaism and is found in Leo Rosten's The Joys of Yiddish. That shows how old - and new - this is. Challenging the teacher is good for the audience and the teacher. Sick societies have dictators and priests who simple declare "the truth" and do not debate. "What is truth?, said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer." (Francis Bacon, Truth essay.)

The lawyer answered Jesus correctly (and this happens to be found in many if not all religions - the liberals say because they are all alike; Christians realizing that other religions are a shadow of the One Truth but may help people listen to the Word of the Gospel).

By asking, Jesus allowed the lawyer to expose his pride by challenging the Son of God with a follow-up. The lawyer then challenged, as Jesus knew would happen, the definition of neighbor.

The parable, possibly the greatest of them all, makes us realize that every action of the Samaritan, the Despised One in Judaism, 

1. is both a description of the Savior's attitude, work, and ministry AND
2. the example or the fruit of faith in Him.

Not knowing or seeing the Good Samaritan as the Savior will people to think the real story is social activism.

As Walter Rauschenbusch, a rationalist and social activist wrote, to lead his blind followers into the crafts and assaults of the National Council of Churches (Social Justice Statement) - "Do we bind the wounds of the afflicted or do we make the road to Jericho safe?"

Franklin D. Fry, the son of the first LCA President, quoted Rauschenbusch verbatim to the Michigan LCA pastors, and then denied he was a Social Gospel advocate. I said to him, "You quoted Rauschenbusch, the prime example of the Social Gospel."

This is very significant because it became the platform of FDR's New Deal and is the basic agenda (among other things) of every activist  US president. The real challenge, for them, is to make the roads safe, which takes billions and trillions of dollars.

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 An by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

The plot depends on a robbery and almost murder on the road, which was common enough for everyone to fear. The first two reactions are common in churches today - the stink-eye and the shun. The stink-eye is focusing an evil look on someone who is worthy of disdain, disapproval, and dismissal. The stink-eye is a warning but also a follow-up, as if to say, "The shun button was pushed and will no cease its warning."

The shun is a complete rejection of the person for asking uncomfortable questions, for questioning false doctrine, for any number of excuses.

Those who miss the meaning of the parable love to dwell on the evils of race relations, the lack of true ecumenism (where all religions can worship together at Yankee Stadium, the ultimate triumph - "faith" without belief. Do not mock it. All the religion departments at the state universities and many private or denominational colleges are the same - the money good, the work, very light). 

Did you know Jesus prayed for the World Council of Marxist Churches to be united? I learned that at a Methodist Conference. Jesus prayed, "That they may be one." It moved me to tears, tears of laughter.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, (1) he had compassion on him, 34 (2) And went to him, and (3) bound up his wounds, (4) pouring in oil and wine, and (5) set him on his own beast, and (6) brought him to an inn, and (7) took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, (8) he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, (9) Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, (10) I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

We can look at this as a series of steps which match exactly what Jesus does and how we are to parallel His actions.

1. Compassion is the first response of Jesus. When someone is wounded, which can happen in many ways, His response is to "suffer with" that person, the meaning of compassion. Many times when we see a mess, our inclination is hardness or the Law. The Gospel teaches us not to look down but to identify with the suffering, whether emotional or physical. Nurses are the prime example (mothers too) - They see the most disgusting messes and rush to help, to love, to clean up, to prevent, and to say, "No I enjoy this. It is my calling." Components of the church do the same, when faith in Christ is foremost. They look to the suffering and respond.
2. Jesus does not wait but moves to the suffering. Moving to is so much more alien than avoiding. In many cases, it does not seem to help, but does that matter in a congregation or a person's life? Success is not in winning but first of all in going there and being there. God does the work.
3. The Jesus figure does not allow bleeding to death, but immediately addresses it. Compassion addresses the pain - which can be fears, loneliness, lack of money, robbery, broken hearts, something as simple as decent clothes. Simple fact - most congregations that close have piles of cash bearing interest in Certificates of Deposit. I was told one bishop's assistant spent a lot of time with the laity fussing over getting better interest rates. Lack of faith -- yes! Lack of money -- No!
4. Luther describes the oil and wine as the sharpness of the Law and the soiling effect of the Gospel. Jesus went to open sinners - no one doubted what their sins were. He taught them the righteousness of faith in Him. Unfortunately, people often start with the sharpness of the Law and stay there. When we kids complained about anything, our father would day, "Do you know what's wrong with you?" Kids - "No, Dad." He would respond, "You are spoiled, spoiled rotten. That's what's wrong with you." Christianity teaches the Ten Commandments, but also the Gospel. There is no healing without the Gospel, and we need that until the last moment.
5. On His own beast - The Holy Spirit created the Church so that people would be brought to the Savior, or the Savior brought to them. Not just invite with silly post cards but boldly say the Name when it is appropriate and timely, yet without holding back. We were in a cafe when the tree began waving, with no breeze. I said, "Call an ambulance. There is a wreck." There was no time to ask, "Can this benefit me in some way? Or not hurt me?"
6. Church bus ministry. There are many ways to do this. The Samaritan did more than bind wounds.
7. He took care of him - Jesus cares for the individual through the congregation (the inn). That is going to happen when the Gospel and faith are present. God makes things develop in many ways, but those things happen with divine timing and divine power.
8. The minister and laity are the staff at the end. Payment in advance - but only two pennies. Ministers should not get rich or aim at getting rich. Congregations should pile of cash for their own glory and luxury. UOP's policy was NOT to get stuck with real estate. They rented almost everything. We can now see how congregations are buried by their own costs in maintaining someone's dream or fantasy or other problems.
9. The congregation takes care of the person brought in by Jesus Christ the Savior. That is their job, not to get angry because someone does not show up!
10. Jesus - I will repay, with a few more pennies. Pastors and congregations worry about pay, in many cases, as if there is some gold standard. Jesus Christ is saying, "Put the need of souls first, and always first. Worry about the budget later."

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The Samaritan showed mercy. He is the example. This is how Jesus works through the Word. 

And Jesus said to all the mockers, rationalists, and indifferent, "This is how to love one's neighbor, to teach the Faith of Jesus and to follow His example."