"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." - Luke 10: 36-37 (NIV)
Let us not lose sight either that this parable is told in direct response to a teacher of law who was trying to justify himself. In his view, his neighbors were his fellow believers. Jesus instead responds with a parable that has the person he probably held in the highest contempt as the hero. Ouch.
So please understand me. I am not making a political statement. I am not making a commentary on any party, politician, or person in this world. I am merely saying what the Bible says. How it says we ought to behave towards those who need mercy in this world. Is there danger? Of course there is because sin and Satan still run this world. But who do we serve? Is God above the ISIS problem? Does He need our help in figuring out how to handle the refugees? Are we commanded to protect this life at all cost? Not at all but the opposite:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. - Matthew 16: 24-25 (NIV)
This is what it means to follow Christ. It means when the rest of the world is petrified about terrorism, we are concerned for those who need mercy. When people speculate about building walls we should be building bridges to Christ. I do not pretend to know all of the answers for this world's ills other than Jesus. Thankfully He is always enough.
Reverend Anthony Wade - November 19, 2015
