I was just thinking: Job Descriptions
The biblical account in Luke 10 is familiar to most of us. In order of appearance, first, a priest and, then, a Levite came upon a suffering, beaten man, lying at the roadside. The priest and Levite had temple duties that cried out for their attention; half-dead men along roadsides were not in their “job descriptions,” so they moved to the “other side of the road,” in an effort to separate themselves from the needy man. Jesus included in His story another character, a Samaritan, a despised bi-racial man (a son from a Jew-Gentile union). He assisted the beaten man by administering First Aid, transporting him to a place where his medical needs could be met, and picking up the costs of his medical care.
Then, Jesus asked the question, “Who then was neighbor to him?” The Jewish law instructor replied, “He who showed mercy?” Jesus then gave the man a job description —“Go and do likewise.” Showing mercy is a part of every Christian’s assignment. We have freely received mercy, and we should freely give it.
Our television screens lit up with a story of a street corner beating in Seattle. A 15-year old was being kicked in the head repeatedly and her I-pod, purse, and cell phone were taken from her, while two “security officers” within feet of the victim merely looked on.
“The teen told investigators she thought she would be protected since the security guards were there. She says they just watched, saying they had standing orders to ‘avoid confrontations or fights’.” (newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/.../guards-watch-as-seattle-teen-is-beaten/ -)
I believe that God has placed in the wills of His created ones a “job description” that calls for a response of mercy when we see someone else suffering. It is not quite enough to “observe and report” when someone is being beaten. To remain detached in the face of someone’s suffering is not being a “neighbor” and it is not “showing mercy.”
Micah, the biblical prophet, puts it into perspective: “… O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NLT). That is the “job description” that God has given us.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Salute to Sufferers
Some months ago, someone suggested that I might want to share some of what I am pondering or meditating on with others. It is my intent to occasionally post these “mullings” on the website. Thank you to any and all who care to read.
I have a wonderful, caring sister (Jean) who has been diagnosed with cancer and has undergone treatment, as some of you perhaps have. I want to reflect a bit on God’s ministry through His children who suffer and salute those persons. (Note: Most of us have family, neighbors, fellow church members, and other acquaintances who suffer not only from cancer but other ravaging physical or emotional challenges).
“Christian/agnostic” is an oxymoron. It seems impossible that one should be “both/and.” We normally consider that a person is a Christian, or possibly an agnostic (literally, “without knowledge.”) Leslie Weatherhead, a self-professed Christian/agnostic (whatever that is!) in his book, Salute To A Sufferer, wrote, “Some who have served best have suffered most.” My response to that is “Amen!”
Marie Nichols’ body rests in a cemetery in Durham, North Carolina. On her wrist was placed a bracelet with a heart-shaped locket containing a picture of our then less than two year-old daughter, Beverly. During my time as a seminary student at Southeastern, she and her husband lived just down the road a short distance from us in North Raleigh. I first met her at Rex Hospital where she had been diagnosed with cancer. As I came onto the second floor, I could hear an anger-filled voice speaking into a telephone. I lingered several minutes after her phone conversation ended, fearful and quite unsure of how to introduce myself and begin a dialogue with Marie. But from that awkward beginning, there grew a friendship with her and her husband where they became my “teachers” through her suffering.
Faith moves from “textbook and theory” to practical experience and witness in the lives of many faithful sufferers. Marie had bone cancer and any movement or touch of her hospital bed which was in her living room brought to her excruciating pain. She would, nonetheless, insist upon taking “little Beverly” onto the bed long enough for a hug. After a crucial time when she considered taking her life to be rid of the physical pain, she inquired, “Would God forgive me, if I did that.” I must confess that my “Pastoral Care 101” class had not prepared me to respond to that. In my desperation and evident dilemma, it was as if God took control and enabled me to say, “Marie, I don’t have all the answers. However, there is one thing of which I am sure and it is this, you have an opportunity to “practice and preach the gospel from this hospital bed in a more powerful and convincing way than I could ever do it from a pulpit. You can let others know that you are ‘more than conqueror through Christ who has loved us.’ (Romans 8:37)”. Ancient conquerors wore purple to mark their victory, and the language used in “more than conquerors” literally means those who are “super purple wearers.” Marie accepted the challenge and lived her remaining days as a positive witness to the grace and mercy of God.
The lyrics of an old song declare, “And when the battle’s over, we shall wear a crown; yes, we shall wear a crown in the New Jerusalem.” Guess what? We will, but for a moment, and then place them at His feet in the recognition that Jesus, alone, is worthy of heavenly crown-wearing. (My parents used to say, “Take your hat off; you’re in the house.” In a greater sense, we will need to “Take you crown off; you’re in heaven.”) The King is central there and the appropriate place for crowns is “at His feet.”
And I believe that Marie and all those faithful who suffer and trust Christ will wear a “crown of life” (stephanos) and robe (purple???) in the New Jerusalem. Maybe we’ll get to wear these to His Victory Celebration (“Wedding Supper of the Lamb”??). The “Who dat nation”-New Orleans Saints fans-just think they have something to celebrate!!
So, allow me to join the late Dr. Weatherhead in giving a “Salute to Sufferers.”
[Thanks for reading and, if able, join with others in loving Jesus in gathered worship this Valentine’s Day.]
I have a wonderful, caring sister (Jean) who has been diagnosed with cancer and has undergone treatment, as some of you perhaps have. I want to reflect a bit on God’s ministry through His children who suffer and salute those persons. (Note: Most of us have family, neighbors, fellow church members, and other acquaintances who suffer not only from cancer but other ravaging physical or emotional challenges).
“Christian/agnostic” is an oxymoron. It seems impossible that one should be “both/and.” We normally consider that a person is a Christian, or possibly an agnostic (literally, “without knowledge.”) Leslie Weatherhead, a self-professed Christian/agnostic (whatever that is!) in his book, Salute To A Sufferer, wrote, “Some who have served best have suffered most.” My response to that is “Amen!”
Marie Nichols’ body rests in a cemetery in Durham, North Carolina. On her wrist was placed a bracelet with a heart-shaped locket containing a picture of our then less than two year-old daughter, Beverly. During my time as a seminary student at Southeastern, she and her husband lived just down the road a short distance from us in North Raleigh. I first met her at Rex Hospital where she had been diagnosed with cancer. As I came onto the second floor, I could hear an anger-filled voice speaking into a telephone. I lingered several minutes after her phone conversation ended, fearful and quite unsure of how to introduce myself and begin a dialogue with Marie. But from that awkward beginning, there grew a friendship with her and her husband where they became my “teachers” through her suffering.
Faith moves from “textbook and theory” to practical experience and witness in the lives of many faithful sufferers. Marie had bone cancer and any movement or touch of her hospital bed which was in her living room brought to her excruciating pain. She would, nonetheless, insist upon taking “little Beverly” onto the bed long enough for a hug. After a crucial time when she considered taking her life to be rid of the physical pain, she inquired, “Would God forgive me, if I did that.” I must confess that my “Pastoral Care 101” class had not prepared me to respond to that. In my desperation and evident dilemma, it was as if God took control and enabled me to say, “Marie, I don’t have all the answers. However, there is one thing of which I am sure and it is this, you have an opportunity to “practice and preach the gospel from this hospital bed in a more powerful and convincing way than I could ever do it from a pulpit. You can let others know that you are ‘more than conqueror through Christ who has loved us.’ (Romans 8:37)”. Ancient conquerors wore purple to mark their victory, and the language used in “more than conquerors” literally means those who are “super purple wearers.” Marie accepted the challenge and lived her remaining days as a positive witness to the grace and mercy of God.
The lyrics of an old song declare, “And when the battle’s over, we shall wear a crown; yes, we shall wear a crown in the New Jerusalem.” Guess what? We will, but for a moment, and then place them at His feet in the recognition that Jesus, alone, is worthy of heavenly crown-wearing. (My parents used to say, “Take your hat off; you’re in the house.” In a greater sense, we will need to “Take you crown off; you’re in heaven.”) The King is central there and the appropriate place for crowns is “at His feet.”
And I believe that Marie and all those faithful who suffer and trust Christ will wear a “crown of life” (stephanos) and robe (purple???) in the New Jerusalem. Maybe we’ll get to wear these to His Victory Celebration (“Wedding Supper of the Lamb”??). The “Who dat nation”-New Orleans Saints fans-just think they have something to celebrate!!
So, allow me to join the late Dr. Weatherhead in giving a “Salute to Sufferers.”
[Thanks for reading and, if able, join with others in loving Jesus in gathered worship this Valentine’s Day.]
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