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."