22nd March - Dave

Sunday 22nd March 2020 – Manor Mission Church – Talk
When did you last walk by on the other side of the road?
In the current situation doing that that may indeed be the appropriate thing to do in certain circumstances, in order to keep your distance to prevent the potential spread of coronavirus, but despite that risk, and with the necessary safeguards, many are crossing the road to help others e.g. those key workers in health, care homes, shops, transport, emergency services, teachers, farmers, rubbish collection and many more un sung heroes.
Those who are not key workers may by staying on the other side of the road still be helping others by doing that.
Let’s see where the expression ‘walking by on the other side of the road’ comes from.
Our verse for this year in John 15:12 is Jesus’ command
‘Love each other as I have loved you’

Jesus reminded his followers on numerous occasions of this command and the fact that it also included our neighbours and even our enemies.  Let’s look at Luke 10:25-37, and on this occasion I am going to use the NLT (New Living Translation)
Luke 10:25-29 NLT
[25] One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" [26] Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" [27] The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'" [28] "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" [29] The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?"

Note: Jesus was asked a similar question recorded in Matthew 22:36-40 where he explained that these were the two most important commandments and that ‘The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commands’

Matthew 22:36-40 NLT
[36] "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" [37] Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' [40] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

In answer to the man’s question ‘Who is my neighbour?’
Luke 10:30-37 NLT
[30] Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. [31] "By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. [32] A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. [33] "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. [34] Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. [35] The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' [36] "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. [37] The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

Often referred to as the story of the Good Samaritan, and in fact a term we also us from this story, we talk about being a good Samaritan as well as not walking by on the other side of the road when there is something we can do – even something as simple as calling for help for the person in difficulty or sometimes if we are able, to do more ourselves.
Whether there is a national emergency or not Jesus expects his followers to ‘Now go and do the same’. Sometimes, as in the story, the source of help may surprise us and others, coming from people we didn’t expect it from – you?
We can often comment on what others should be doing or not doing, and I would suggest we do it quite a lot, including being very critical of them e.g. of those bulk buying – people in Italy where worse and also Germany not experiencing problem of bulk buying – see I have just done it!!.

So what can each of us do? Ask the question What can I do?
Be different for each of us – we are different ages, in different situations, have different abilities, responsibilities, resources and opportunities but I would suggest we can all do something. Here are some suggestions:
Look for opportunities to help others – ask God for wisdom to identify those situations where you can do something and what it is you should do.
We can all follow the Government advice and be careful of what we read, hear, talk about and pass on – there is a lot of false information out there so rely on the NHS website www.nhs.uk .
By following the advice we are already helping others.
Within our immediate church community stay in touch with each other, don’t be worried about asking for help – we are co-ordinating help by using our website www.manormissionchurch.org.uk to post updates and regular posts including for Sundays, we can be contacted via the church email: [email protected] and the prayer chain number: 07722 304917
With your neighbours and all those you come across be open to others needs and what you can do if there is an opportunity to help.

If you are able consider applying for jobs in essential employment e.g. recent adverts for help on farms picking fruit, food stores, or voluntary work. In our area we have the food banks, resource centre, Changing Pathways and Project 58.7 which supports members of the homeless community, providing night time accommodation and food on five nights a week – they need volunteers but also financial support. These are just some suggestions – be open to the opportunities God will show you where it may be appropriate to cross the road in your own way to help.

Look after yourself, resist the temptation to focus solely on social media, news channels and conversation about coronavirus.
Look around – appreciate all those things you still have and can do – take a walk – enjoy the fresh air and infinite beauty of creation perhaps.

Make use of the time you now have to proactively do those things on your to do list which will free up time and make things easier in the future – I have already decided our garden is going to have some attention.
Read, play, listen to music, catch up with family via skype or by phone.
I am sure there are numerous things you can consider doing – we spend a lot of time explaining how busy we are, and many will still be exceptionally busy and under pressure, but let us make use of all the valuable time we have and not take it for granted, or sit back and do nothing of value.
But in doing that let’s not forget our neighbour – let us get the balance right – the balance being ‘love your neighbour as yourself!’

I personally think that one of the other really important things we can definitely all do is pray. Pray for the situation as we did earlier in our service; including our leaders, scientists working on a vaccine, key workers, families and our neighbours in the broadest sense of the word.
Many in this world today have chosen to ignore any existence or possibility of God and rely purely on science – God we believe has given everyone freewill to make up their own minds about him and choices about how they live their lives. When we chose to leave God out of the equation and go our own way we can’t blame him for the consequences – on the other side of the road where we believe in God and follow Jesus though I believe there are additional, perhaps even miraculous solutions to the situation if only we humble ourselves, admit our limitations and trust God instead.
When Jesus, like the traveller in the story of the good Samaritan, was stripped of his clothes, beaten up and left dying on the cross many stood on the other side of the road, hurling insults and turning their backs on him, whilst others eventually, stood by him and had their lives and those of future followers, like us, transformed following his resurrection and defeat of the power of death.
 
At some stage we all stood on the other side of the road ignoring Jesus, but when we did respond to his love and crossed the road to follow him our lives were changed, or more accurately began to change, as that process is a work in progress.
On the BBC news site was an article ‘Coronavirus – Doctors urge conversations about dying’ looking at new palliative care guidance being issued.
When appropriate let us compassionately and gently speak about the certain hope we have as followers of Jesus that death is not the end, as some scientists would suggest, but that in this life and the next Jesus, the ultimate good Samaritan, has transformed things for eternity if we will only cross the road to follow him.
I am going to conclude by reading some advice given to earlier followers of Jesus.
​
 Colossians 3:1-17 NLT
[1] Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God's right hand. [2] Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. [3] For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. [5] So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. [6] Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. [7] You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. [8] But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language. [9] Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. [10] Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. [11] In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. [12] Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. [14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [16] Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. [17] And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.