In the year 2000, a movie came out loosely based on Homer’s Greek poem, The Odyssey. The setting was during the Great Depression, a very deep and dark time in the history of our nation. There are various themes throughout the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?, including, but not limited to, racism, forgiveness, injustice, freedom and the depravity of man. If you’ve seen it, this article will make a little more sense to you.
Jesus gave us an even more powerful picture concerning O Brother, Where Art Thou? in Luke chapter ten. The scripture reads - “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by 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 and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii 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 told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Let’s face it, “we’re in a tight spot” (Everett). America stands at yet another crossroads. The unrest socially, politically and spiritually has people at odds with one another. Socially, the unrest has reached a boiling point because of injustice and inequality. Politically, we are here because of the greed for power and control. Spiritually, the church has backed itself into a corner because of our failure to disciple and equip a generation. This has led us to unconsciously allow the world to evangelize the church instead of the biblical opposite.
The church needs to act, and act quickly. One of many things that we need to reemphasize is the reprograming of our ministries toward evangelism and discipleship and equipping our parents and legal guardians on how to raise their families biblically. Perhaps Jesus would ask us this question today; “is you is, or is you ain’t my constituents? (Homer Stokes)
Jesus was asking the question, “who is my neighbor” (Luke 10:29b); and in the parable, teaches us how we need to act and what we need to do about it. As was said and asked in the movie can also be said and asked of us; “he’s bona fide, what are you”? (Penny)
Are we going to be like the robbers in Luke 10 or George “Baby Face” Nelson and Big Dan Teague in the movie? They all had the attitude of “what’s yours is mine and I’m going to take it”. They took what they wanted, did what they thought was best for their own personal agenda, showed complete disregard for the needs of others, and R-U-N-N-O-F-T. (Wash Hogwallop). The principle guiding the robbers was, “if I hurt this man, I can help myself”. This is why they attacked him, robbed him and left him for dead.
Are we going to act like the Priest, the Levite or even Ulysses Everett McGill; “what’s mine is mine and I’m going to keep it”? As you may recall, he wanted his treasure (which ended up being a lie), his life, his wife and his family back. He had lost it all because he had violated the law and was in prison because of it. The principle guiding the Priest and Levite was, “if I help this man, what will happen to me?” The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a dangerous road and I am certain that their fear was that the robbers were still around looking for another prey. That’s why they increased their speed instead of meeting another man’s need.
Are we going to be like the Samaritan and allow the teachings of Jesus to guide us again? Here is some good advice for you and me today; “Do not seek the treasure!” (Pete) Do not seek the lie, the myth, the fantasy of some life being greater than living the life of Christ. The priority that Jesus teaches us to live by is, “what’s mine is yours and I’m going to give it”. The principle guiding the Samaritan was, “if I don’t help this man, what will happen to him”? His concern for others negated his concern for himself. He was “others” conscious. He wasn’t in it for himself, but for others.
Have you ever stopped to realize that in this parable, the one that had the courage to help was the one society had most mistreated? He was a Samaritan. As you may recall, the nation of Israel had become divided. Israel was composed of the ten tribes to the north, and Judah was made up of Judah and Benjamin. The animosity between the Jews and Israelites began immediately after the division. Samaria was the capital city of the northern kingdom. Rehoboam assembled an army to make war against Israel to reunite the kingdom, but God intervened through His prophet Shemiah. First Kings 15:6 tells us that “there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.” Immediately, Jeroboam changed the worship of the Israelites. No longer did the inhabitants of the north travel to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice and worship. Instead, Jeroboam set up idols in Dan and Bethel. Then, when Israel fell to the Assyrians, they began to intermarry with the Assyrians. This is why the Jews hated the Samaritans so much and referred to them as “dogs,” or “half-breeds.”
This is the problem with the present state of affairs in America. Biblical values are no longer prioritized. We cannot let this be said of us concerning biblical truths, “they ... left ... his ... heart!” (Delmar) We are now divided as a nation. We have been divided for some time now. Because of this, the Christian family (spiritually) has begun to intermarry with the earthly family (philosophically); “he sold his soul to the
devil” (Homer Stokes). The offspring is a compromising spirit that now rejects the absolute truth of scripture. The believers that hold dear to these orthodox truths are surely becoming societies’ outcasts, dogs, half- breeds and the “opposers” to global progress. The true church of Jesus Christ is in the way and is now the focal point of attack.
Maybe we need to be asking this question again, “O Brother, Where Art Thou”? O brother, where art thou concerning ... social injustice, sinful behavior, ungodly practices, unrighteous policies, unfair treatment, imbalanced equality, unholy living and uncertain times? We can be silent no longer. The world is believing a lie and the only thing that can set them free is the Truth!
You may ask, “Bishop, what is the church to do”? The only things I know that cannot fail are God (1 Corinthians 1:9), His Word (Joshua 21:45). and love (1 Corinthians 13). With this confidence, we must BE the Church, APPLY biblical knowledge, LIVE out biblical truth, EQUIP the saints, FOLLOW the example of Christ, and OBEY the commands of scripture. Notice that there is no room for “a Dapper Dan man”, or “a man with the gift of gab”. (Everett)
I love what Luke 10:27 & 28 (NIV) teaches; “‘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 ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
As God’s child, you can still live life abundantly and lead your ministry effectively in this climate that we are in. Jesus gives us three LOVE priorities that lead to inner peace and experiencing life to its fullest. First, we must love God in four areas and in four ways: with ALL of our HEART, with ALL of our SOUL, with ALL of our STRENGTH, and with ALL of our MIND. Secondly, we must love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Yes, admit it ... you love yourself! If you feed yourself, feed your neighbor. If you clothe yourself, clothe your neighbor. If you want to be treated with justice and equality, give the same privilege to your neighbor. Get it? And thirdly, love life, or as Jesus put it ... “do this and YOU will LIVE”. These personal core values are great advice for each us to live by. I suppose I could also add, “and stay out of Woolworth”. (Manager)