A Fresh Perspective - Aug 28, 2009
In Luke's Gospel a religious leader asks Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus responds, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"
The religious leader answers, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus says, "You have given the right answer; do this and live."
In Luke's version the religious leader looks for a loophole. He asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" and then Jesus responds with the story of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:25 - 37).
The question asked Jesus was about inheriting eternal life; it was about participation in God's future kingdom. To paraphrase Jesus responds: "Go Love. Love God and love your brother and sister in the human family the way you love yourself."
There is no "Roman Road" to travel, no "Four Spiritual Laws" to obey, no three step formula to follow, no doctrinal creed to sign, not even a confessional statement to proclaim like "Jesus is Lord," which served as a baptismal confession among the early Christians. Just a simple, "Go love." Not "believe" this, but "do" this, and you will live, you will experience life in God's kingdom.
This teaching of Jesus forms the core of a theology of love and grace. All people, even the "Samaritans," the people we are at odds with theologically and socially, are children of God, worthy of love.
Who wants to be saved? Who wants to experience eternal life? Who wants to know the life of the age to come ahead of time? Who wants to access God's grace and provision for a flourishing life? Who wants to live in God's new world now and forever?
Then go forth and love. Love the black sheep in your family. Love the ex - husband or ex - wife. Love the woman or man who betrayed you. Love the competitor at work. Love your spouse, your children, your friends, your enemies. (I'm preaching to myself here). Love them with all that is within you to love and love them the way you love yourself. "Do this and live," says Jesus.