There are defining moments in our lives. One such moment for me was in a friendship I had with a Baptist minister, Herb Hatfield, many years my senior. Herb was a very godly man with a compassionate heart for the homeless, alcoholics, etc. One day he said to me, "David, when you pastor, make sure you build a church and not a courthouse." A courthouse is where people are convicted and sentenced with some type of punishment. A church is where people who are already guilty can go to find redemption and forgiveness. As someone so adequately expressed, "The Church is the only institution that puts its arms around all humanity, and has upon its door, ‘Whosoever will may come.'"
An artist sought to illustrate the true purpose of the Church. He painted a raging storm at sea and a small ship being dashed around by the huge waves. Sailors were being slung out of the shattered boat and were crying for help as they fought for their lives in the terribly rough seas. The only means of survival was a large rock protruding out of the sea. One lonely sailor was pictured clutching the rock with both hands, while others struggled to reach the rock before drowning. It was a very moving scene. It pictured people's hopelessness in the sea of iniquity and wickedness. The picture illustrated Christ as the Rock of Safety. But, as the artist looked at his painting, he realized he had not correctly portrayed the mission of the Church. So he painted another picture. He painted the same storm, the same battered ship, the same struggling sailors, and the same seaman holding onto the rock. This time, however, the lone surviving sailor was holding on with one hand, and with his other hand, he was reaching down beneath the waves to lift up a sinking friend. This is the purpose of the Church!
In Luke 10, Christ told the story of the Good Samaritan, illustrating true concern and compassion. He spoke of four men: an abused and beaten man, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. While traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho on a thief-infested road, the wounded man was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "‘The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.'" The wounded man speaks of a world that has been beaten, robbed, and victimized by the devil. Our society is full of victims. They surround us, and we ourselves have at times fallen victim to Satan. The priest and Levite, both of whom refused to assist the man, speak of a heartless, judgmental, and institutionalized Christianity that has removed itself from the wounded. Christ was giving a stern warning to a Christianity that cares more about self, materialism, comfort, and ease than wounded people. The fourth man, the Samaritan, was part of an outcast group in the culture of that day; yet, he had compassion. He stopped, went to the man, poured in oil and wine, bound up his wounds, took him to an inn, and saw to it that he was restored to health. Christ makes this man our example of what the Church is meant to be.
Two psychologists teaching at a university decided to test forty unsuspecting theology students. They persuaded a young man to play the part of the victim, one who was bruised, wounded, and bleeding, lying just off the route of the students as they made their way to class. The two professors wanted to see how many would risk being late for class by stopping to help the hurt man. Astonishingly, even though he agonized and groaned, 60 percent of those students--twenty-four out of forty--kept right on walking. After discovering what had been done, those students were ashamed to know that they cared more about their class than a hurt and needy person.
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, "While women weep...I'll fight. While little children go hungry...I'll fight. While men go to prison, in and out... I'll fight. While there yet remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight. I'll fight to the very end."
In 1981, I came across an article written by a minister, Don Basham. It appeared in the February edition of New WineMagazine. His article was titled "Getting Involved." He wrote:
God is saying to us that to be involved on earth means picking a different side of the road. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho obviously had two distinct sides. There was the side that the priest and Levite chose, and then there was what I have come to call the Samaritan side--the side where the wounded traveler fell, and where the Samaritan found him and ministered to him. To be honest, most of the time, we prefer not the Samaritan side, but the other side of the road. The other side of the road is easier, more attractive, more exciting. Without being unappreciative of the excitement and drama of the other side, I want to draw some contrasts between that other side and the Samaritan side.
The other side of the road will get you into Jericho in a hurry; the Samaritan side of the road will get you into trouble in a hurry.
The other side is all pavement and promises; the Samaritan side is full of potholes and problems.
The other side circles the city; the Samaritan side cuts right through the heart of the slums.
The other side calls for charisma; the Samaritan side calls for commitment.
The other side is an invitation to success; the Samaritan side is an invitation to sacrifice.
The other side looks for fame; the Samaritan side looks for family.
The other side holds charismatic conventions; the Samaritan side builds covenant communities
On the other side of the road you seek God's power; on the Samaritan side you seek God's purpose.
On the other side you learn about faith; on the Samaritan side you learn about forgiveness.
On the other side you attend someone's crusade; on the Samaritan side you carry someone's cross.
On the other side you claim your rights; on the Samaritan side you seek to be ruled.
On the other side you hug the Christian who succeeds; on the Samaritan side you hug the Christian who fails.
On the other side you count the offering; on the Samaritan side you count the cost.
On the other side you share your testimony; on the Samaritan side you share the blame.
On the other side you take up your ministry; on the Samaritan side of the road you lay down your life.
On the other side you touch the hearts of God's people; on the Samaritan side you touch the heart of God.
David Arnold
Basham, Don. "Getting Involved," New WineMagazine, February 1981.
"The Busy Samaritan," 6 th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10, Luke 10:25-37; online: http://www.dodgenet.com/~tzingale/sermonc/6pentillustrationsproper10.html.
Smith, J. Evans. Booth the Beloved. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 19; online: www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1346423.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
"The Busy Samaritan," 6 th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10, Luke 10:25-37; available online: http://www.dodgenet.com/~tzingale/sermonc/6pentillustrationsproper10.html.
J. Evans Smith, Booth the Beloved (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 19); also available online: www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1346423.
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