July 1, 2010
Romans 13
Pastor Paul Turbedsky
Romans 13:9 “… Love your neighbor as yourself.”
As I read this passage, I’m reminded about an older woman who came to church regularly for decades. As she advanced in years, she became more set in her ways - always parking her car in the same space, sitting in the same spot in the same pew at the same time each Sunday (also known to ask people to move out of her seat). She always had a comment for the ushers about the temperature not being right. The music was always too loud. She rarely had a kind word for anyone.
Our paths crossed one day when I was visiting someone in a nursing home. We made eye contact, then she smiled and moved on before I could say a word. I learned later that she often came to visit people in the nursing home. She would also visit people in the hospital and follow up later in their homes. During these visits she would do anything that was needed - cutting fingernails, brushing hair, reading scripture, bringing a meal or doing laundry. I was surprised to see her in this role, serving so humbly. I didn’t expect it, given how she presented herself in other settings and what I thought that I knew about her.
This real-life example reminds me of the Good Samaritan story, as recorded in Luke 10. An expert in the law asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). Jesus asked him what was written in the law, to which the lawyer replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart … and love your neighbor as yourself.” (verse 27) After Jesus responded that his answer was correct, the lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (verse 29).
In this parable, the Samaritan was the “neighbor,” showing kindness to a beaten, wounded man. Within the Jewish culture, Samaritans were looked down upon…so the Samaritan’s actions were a surprise to the lawyer. In the same way, I was surprised by the kind actions of the woman who grumbled her way into church each Sunday. She was the “neighbor” to many persons.
The Samaritan and the woman got it right: they showed love and kindness to their neighbor.
To whom are you being a “good neighbor”? Do you need to be a “good neighbor” to someone? I encourage you to be bold – yet humbled - in sharing your love with others.
Did you know? A great vacation for Pastor Paul is a quiet place (mountains or beach) with his wife for sleeping, taking walks, playing cards, cooking, as well as enjoying a meal out...with no phones, computers or briefcases allowed.
