December 7, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible say the oldest brother usually gets the short end of the stick?” 

“Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” Luke 15:11-32

If you read the bible, and follow the problems with relationships, you will notice that there is a pattern with brothers – they often do not get along. And the problems usually come between the oldest and the youngest. Consider the story of Cain and Abel – Cain kills his older brother due to jealousy. Or remember the story of Joseph and his brothers who sold him into slavery – due to jealousy. There is Jacob and Esau – Jacob was able to trick Esau out of his birthright and the blessing from their father.

As such, this helps us appreciate the setting of the story of the Prodigal Son. He is the youngest – and he is pretentious, rude, and abrupt. His older brother is respectful, polite, and predictable. The younger son treats his father as if he is dead to him by asking for his inheritance before the father passes. He then goes off to squander his money and property. When his money fails, he decides to return to his father and “reap the reward of his actions.” But it isn’t just his father with whom he needs to make things right. He also must confront his older brother. We have no idea from the biblical witness if he does – or not. All we know is the oldest is standing outside the party refusing to join in the celebration.

Family drama. It has always been a part of the human story. Why? Because we are all a part of the human story – and none of us are perfect.

Pastor Dave

December 6, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible say two Temple employees did nothing to help a man beaten half to death?”

 “Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?”  He answered, “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.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends. The reasons date back to the time of Jacob and his son Joseph. Jacob loved his son Joseph the most. Before his death, Jacob gave Joseph a blessing in which he called him a “fruitful bough by a well”. The blessing was fulfilled, as the territory allotted to the tribes of Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, was the territory that eventually became Samaria. Later, Israel divided into two kingdoms, and the hilltop city of Samaria was established as the capital of the Northern Kingdom – and Jerusalem became the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

In 722 B.C. Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom and took most of its people into captivity. The Assyrians brought in Gentile colonists from Babylon to resettle the land. The foreigners brought with them their pagan idols, which the remaining Jews began to worship alongside the G-d of Israel. The remaining Jews also intermarried with the gentiles. Meanwhile, the southern kingdom of Judah fell to Babylon in 600 B.C. Its people, too, were carried off into captivity. But 70 years later, a remnant of 43,000 was permitted to return and rebuild Jerusalem. The people who now inhabited the former northern kingdom, the Samaritans, vigorously opposed the repatriation and tried to undermine the attempt to reestablish the nation. For their part, the full-blooded, monotheistic Jews detested the mixed marriages and their worship of “other gods”. So walls of bitterness were established and lasted through the centuries. As such, the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.

Now, the none of these facts have anything to do with the reaction of the Temple employees. Neither would go near the man beaten half to death because he must have appeared completely dead to them. And if he was dead, neither the Temple Priest nor the Levite were ritually allowed to touch something dead, or they would be unable to perform their duties for seven days (according to the ritual laws of Israel). So yes, both men walk right on by and do nothing. But that is not what makes the story of the Good Samaritan so powerful – and so difficult for the lawyer. When the man beaten half-to-death wakes up and realizes what has happened, he will soon enough be confronted with the news that his benefactor is a “hated” Samaritan. It gives us all a reason to pause – what would we do when we learn that our benefactor is someone we hate? When your enemy goes out of their way to do something extraordinary (or even just something nice) for you, how will you respond?

Pastor Dave