But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down for Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him, bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he put the man on his donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 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 replied, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke10:25-37
I need to follow this Samaritan’s example. During these past weeks of training I have studied much in regards to what Christians are truly to be about in this world. Just a few weeks ago my answer to the question, “What is you purpose and goal in life?” would have sounded, in short, something like this: “To glorify God the Father in all I do.”
I need to follow this Samaritan’s example. During these past weeks of training I have studied much in regards to what Christians are truly to be about in this world. Just a few weeks ago my answer to the question, “What is you purpose and goal in life?” would have sounded, in short, something like this: “To glorify God the Father in all I do.”
Now, I still hold – clinching tightly – to this answer, but it has grown to be so much more. But the above answer may be shorting me just a bit. I have held for a long time that Jesus, himself, gave us a clear model for ministry through his own example. He addressed the physical – felt needs – of the people he met, and then followed by meeting their spiritual needs, namely forgiveness of sin! But all that is wrapped up in my previous “answer.”
But, my horizons have been broadened, my convictions deepened & challenged too! And for this I am so grateful! Praise God that he continues to work in us, his adopted sons (& daughters), stewards, servants and slaves!
So, what are these new convictions and thoughts … they are this…
I am more fully convinced at this time than I ever have been that Christ was not about a gospel that simply provides salvation. He did that, absolutely & it’s central to everything! But if that is all his death and resurrection secured for his glory, us his chosen ones, and his creation, is it possible we are selling his sacrifice short of its full purpose and potential?
I submit with a resounding YES!
First, Christ is about the work of the Father (John 6:35-40) … that is, he is about the work of the Kingdom of God (Matt 4:17; Mark 1:15)! I think we will all agree that he preached good news, for that is what the gospel is, its good news, the best news! But that is not limited to just salvation! Mark 1:14 & 15 reads, “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.’” Christ labels his message as the “gospel of God,” and relates that to the “kingdom of God.” So, Christ worked not solely for the sake of salvation rather for the advancement of the kingdom of God. With Him it arrived – in part, not in full. That’s why we say the kingdom of God is now, and not yet – but that is for a different time.
Getting back to the claim, God’s gospel is more than preaching salvation. So, what is it? If salvation is not the main purpose, what is?
The gospel of God, that which brings the truth of the kingdom of God into being in an individual is a holistic gospel. It by necessity and definition calls for far more than just spiritual ministry. The gospel is multifaceted in its ministry … meeting the needs of humans alienated from God, since sinful man cannot dwell with holy God (Ex 33:18, 20); meetings the needs of psychologically disoriented humans, that is alienation for self (Rom 1:25, Col 3:5); meeting the needs of socially disoriented humans, or alienation from our neighbors (Gen 3:12, James 4:1-3); and alienation for the natural, created world (Gen 3:17, 19, Rom 8:19-21).1
All the forms of separation are due to the fall in the garden with Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:7-19 describes each of the four alienations that occurred at the moment of first sin, broken relations with God, with self (shame), with each other (blame), and with nature (cursed is the ground).
So surely, as we witness the total devastation wreaked upon the newly created world, we recognize the need for total redemption. If we claim that the gospel of God is strictly a gospel of salvation, then we lie to ourselves and create a God who is much less loving than the God in the Bible. If God does not restore each of these areas of alienation, then could it ever truly be called redemption? Now , hear me straight, this is not at all to blame God of anything, but rather to call to light how the Church has missed so much in regards to the full-forced, multifaceted gospel that Christ brought, the Kingdom that He began to usher in! When the Church seeks to evangelize alone, we miss the mark … and so, when the Church only seeks to address social chaos and disorder, we miss the mark. When Christians simply give money to agencies for the poor, and we say, “Oh bless that soul…;” we miss the mark!
The call of Christ is to become what He became, a laughing stock, a reproach, and despised of the world, for the sake of loving the unlovable, for the sake of advancing the kingdom of God, by both word (evangelism) and deed (mercy ministries)! Jesus preached holistically the gospel, proclaiming that the disabled no longer must be disabled, that the diseased no longer must remain diseased, that the poor no longer had to be slaves to their poverty, that the outcast were no longer outcast, but held high and treasured in the kingdom of God!
And as many theologians declare, the Kingdom of God is now and not yet! This brings great hope to me for two reasons. Today, right now, the King of God’s kingdom is at work in this world – in the hearts of men everywhere, growing up an army of soldiers to advance the front lines of this good news! He is raising up sons and daughters to declare the revelation of perfect love! He is calling stewards forward to being healing to the decimated lands for the healing of the poor! He is wooing forth humble servants, setting aside their own interests for the sake of those who need their service! He is calling all of us to become slaves in His kingdom, slaves to righteousness and love! And all of this because Christ has already brought the kingdom of God, which reveals his power … “God’s ruling power present to heal all the curse of sin. It moves the people of God to meet psychological, social, physical needs, bringing God’s kingly blessing far as the curse is found!”2
The reality is that must live in anticipation of “substantial healing” in all areas of life, though the healing remains only partial, for the kingdom presence is only partial. Keller sums it all up aptly stating, “To spread the kingdom of God is more than simply winning people to Christ. It is also working for the healing of persons, families, relationships, and nations; it is doing deeds of mercy and seeking justice. It is ordering lives and relationships and institutions and communities according to God’s authority to bring in the blessedness of the kingdom.”3 Yet, the right perspective must be held to tightly … mercy ministries – ministering in word and deed – seem to aim primarily at physical needs, felt needs. But it is more than this. It is spiritual ministry to physical needs, namely that the motivation is born out of a spirit of compassion and mercy, having yourself experienced mercy unlimited in the saving grace of Christ Jesus. The spiritual ministry to real needs, open doors up to ministering to the real spiritual needs too!
The Samaritan was a man of true Christ-like compassion and mercy, recognizing that he had the capability to improve this man’s situation by simple mercy. He met all his needs, even at his own expense. He neglected his own schedule, finances, personal safety, and racist bigotries as well … however; I would argue this Samaritan was no racist at all. So, like I said, I need to learn a lot from this true minister of mercy! It is my prayer that I live in such a way as to be able to say, “I went & did likewise!”
1 Keller, Tim. 1997. Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road. 2nd Ed. P&R Pub. New Jersey. p 46-51.
2 Ibid. p 53.
3 Ibid. p 54.
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