I recently read the Good Samaritan story during my morning time with God (Luke 10.25 – 37), and I recalled the modern-day experiment retold in Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point. Here’s part of a summary by another blogger:

In the experiment, seminary students were each asked to prepare a short talk on a biblical theme and then walk over to another building on campus to present it to a group of undergrads.  In between the two buildings, the researchers placed an actor dressed as a derelict, slumped down in an alley, coughing and groaning. They then watched to see if the seminary students would stop and help the man or not on the way to giving their theological presentations…It didn’t really matter if the seminarians were presenting a talk on the Good Samaritan or whether they went into ministry primarily to help out humanity or not. The only thing that mattered is whether or not they were in a hurry. To one group of students, the experimenters would casually say, “It will be a few minutes before they’re ready for you, but you might as well head over now.” To the other group they would look at their watches and say, “Oh, you’re late. They were expecting you a few minutes ago.” In the group that thought they had plenty of time, 63 percent stopped to help the man. In the hurried group, only 10 percent stopped to help. –Mike O’Quinn, March 2, 2017, emphasis mine

The primary application is “context.” When the context was “hurry,” few stopped. In our case, our hurry kills margin. And with no margin we’re sometimes disobedient to our most fundamental calling of loving our neighbor (the context of The Good Samaritan). Maybe that’s why Dallas Willard is often quoted as saying,

You need to ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. -Dallas Willard

That brings us to Jesus’ lifestyle of margin. He never seemed to be in a hurry. Jesus stopped to heal a woman while on the way to help someone’s daughter. (Luke 8.40 – 56) Jesus seemed to have margin all the time. Here’s a story that starts with Jesus leaving Judea for Galilee  by way of Samaria (John 4.3, 4), and it ends with his spending two days in a Samaritan village:

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word.  (John 4.39 – 41, ESV, emphasis mine)

When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem for the last time to do something VERY important, he still had time for Zacchaeus:

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19.5, ESV)

I say that not because I’m a fan of the Russian space program, but because I remember the day well, and since I was in the space operations business in the Air Force, tracking Sputnik’s successors, it’s a day we celebrate in our family!

Last year’s Sputnik Day blog featured sanitation technology sponsored by Bill Gates. This year we need to pray for a different kind of technology: the scientists who are developing the COVID-19 vaccine. Interestingly, Bill and Melinda Gates have an interest in that too.

I applaud the efforts of everyone, but, as always, our real help comes from God who may work through anyone he chooses.

He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” (Exodus 15.26, NIV)

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91.3, NIV)

It’s all about power, isn’t it? All the political wrangling whether it’s about the potential validity of election results or who sits on the Supreme Court, people, parties, coalitions, are all jockeying for power. That was the problem with the debate, wasn’t it? And according to an article I read recently, it has always been thus, in the US all the way back to the transition between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Here’s how it starts:

If you want to know the roots of the country’s present polarization over the Supreme Court, we have to go back. No, not to the contentious hearings for Brett Kavanaugh two years ago, nor to Sen. McConnell’s decision to deny a hearing or confirmation vote to Merrick Garland, who was President Obama’s 2016 pick to replace Justice Scalia. We must go even farther back than the drama of the Clarence Thomas hearing in 1991 or the attacks on Robert Bork’s character in 1987.The real point of origin is one of the first judicial controversies in the history of the American republic, decided in the landmark 1803 Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison. If you think judicial politics is polarizing and opportunistic now, consider what John Adams and his partisan allies did in the closing days of his one and only presidential term. Why We fight so Ferociously over the Court, by David French, Wall Street Journal, September 26, 2020

I had all this in my head when I read this text:

However, your real source of joy isn’t merely that these spirits submit to your authority, but that your names are written in the journals of heaven and that you belong to God’s kingdom. This is the true source of your authority.” Then Jesus, overflowing with the Holy Spirit’s anointing of joy, exclaimed, “Father, thank you, for you are Lord Supreme over heaven and earth! You have hidden the great revelation of this authority from those who are proud, those wise in their own eyes, and you have shared it with these who humbled themselves. Yes, Father. This is what pleases your heart and the very way you’ve chosen to extend your kingdom: to give to those who become like trusting children.. (Luke 10.20, 21, Passion Translation, emphasis mine)

It’s about God’s Kingdom, not our petty little kingdoms. 

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?… Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust…. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. (Isaiah 40.12,15, 17, ESV, emphasis mine)

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. (Psalm 2.1 – 4, ESV)

I wasn’t sure I was going to comment on the “debate” this week, but Heather Holleman’s reaction, along with her Penn State students, was too good not to share:

Today, everyone in class agreed that nobody really listened to each other during the first presidential debate. We all agreed, for once, that we miss civility and civic discourse. We miss kindness and thoughtful listening. My students tell me that nobody won the debate; we all lost.

Ironically, we all feel more united because of this common enemy of hatred, insult, and rude behavior on both sides of the debate. A rare moment of togetherness! – Heather Holleman, September 30, 2020

I like that she made something positive out of it: togetherness!

Here was my reaction:

The biggest problem is that no one is setting an example of decent behavior. We’re endorsing a culture of shouting each other down. The whole primary debate scenario for Republicans in 2016 and Democrats in 2020 was a shouting match. 

Stay away from all the foolish arguments of the immature, for these disputes will only generate more conflict. For a true servant of our Lord Jesus will not be argumentative but gentle toward all and skilled in helping others see the truth, having great patience toward the immature. Then with meekness you’ll be able to carefully enlighten those who argue with you so they can see God’s gracious gift of repentance and be brought to the truth. This will cause them to rediscover themselves and escape from the snare of Satan who caught them in his trap so that they would carry out his purposes. (2 Timothy 2.23 – 26, Passion Translation) – I am well aware that the target for this instruction was a pastor, not politicians; however, why not everyone?

Continuing the theme of our conduct in the world, Tuesday’s blog My Preferences? was on the importance of not being demanding. Yesterday, we looked at A Deserved Protest about a Netflix movie. Today, I’d like to wrap this up by thinking again about our own behavior.

I’ve asked previously, what happened to all the people? There were only 120 in the upper room in Acts 1. What happened to the 5000+ whom Jesus fed, for example? Here’s the answer. Jesus said:

How disastrous it will be for the city of Korazin! How horrible for the city of Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles that I performed in Korazin and Bethsaida had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have humbled themselves and repented, and turned from their sins. Tyre and Sidon will face a lesser degree of judgment than you will on the day of judgment. And Capernaum! Do you really think you’ll be highly exalted because of the great things I have done there? No! You’ll be brought down to the depths of hell because of your rejection of me! Luke 10:13-15 (Passion Translation)

Bethsaida is where Jesus fed the 5,000 (Luke 9.10). Capernaum is where the Roman centurion’s servant was healed, as well as the paraplegic who was lowered through the roof (in front of lots of witnesses!). 

It’s not enough to experience or witness Jesus’ power. I must humble myself, repent, and turn from my sin. 

Then Jesus, overflowing with the Holy Spirit’s anointing of joy, exclaimed, “Father, thank you, for you are Lord Supreme over heaven and earth! You have hidden the great revelation of this authority from those who are proud, those wise in their own eyes, and you have shared it with these who humbled themselves. Yes, Father. This is what pleases your heart and the very way you’ve chosen to extend your kingdom: to give to those who become like trusting children. (Luke 10.21, Passion Translation)

It’s Jesus’ people who need to repent. We tend to focus all our attention on people out there. But here’s a verse, if it applies at all, applies to us: 

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7.14, ESV)

When written, 2 Chronicles 7.14 applied to the nation of Israel under Solomon. If if applies today, it doesn’t apply to the nation but to the believers within the nation. 

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1 Peter 4.17, 18, ESV)

J. Allen Blair, a preacher I heard years ago, said that the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel is that they will repent, too, if judgment begins at the household of God. Again, it’s we who need to repent first. 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God… Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5.1, 2, 15 – 17, ESV)

I don’t usually wade into a secular company’s bad behavior that other Christians are up in arms about, partly because of what I wrote yesterday. Believers could stand to be a bit more winsome in their interactions, I think.

That said, Netflix’s movie Cuties, which sexually exploits pre-teen girls (look it up if you haven’t seen this story) merits a mention. Interestingly, I can’t find any stories in the mainstream media supporting people’s concerns. The prevailing view is, “Just watch it. You’ll see it’s against the sexual exploitation of girls.”

But one can make a point without showing the behavior they’re supposedly against. My son Mark captured the issue well, I think, in his usual creative and concise style:

Whenever it was, a couple weeks ago, when the Cuties poster came out and people were up in arms, Netflix said, “Oh it’s a bad poster, sorry, that’s not what the movie is about, give it a chance.” Now we’re seeing the actual movie and it’s as bad or worse. If I were making a movie about how bad it is to burn puppies, I wouldn’t set puppies on fire with focused shots on the puppies going up in flames, scenes that would be huge hits with the puppy-burning community, and destruction of actual puppies in service of teaching us a broader lesson about the challenges faced by puppies as they face incineration. -Mark Ewell, on or about September 10, 2020, via Facebook

Unfortunately, the uproar has drawn more attention to the movie, and it was one of Netflix’s most-watched last week.

I generally don’t sign petitions telling companies what to do. I can (and did) cancel my subscription, however. 

With respect to petitions, one organizer of petitions, Steve Cleary of RevelationMedia wrote this insightful comment when asked whether or not such petitions were effective against a large company like Netflix:

For me, the question whether we can influence Netflix is far less important than the question of whether or not we can influence followers of Christ to safeguard their homes and stand for righteousness. – Steve Cleary, RevelationMedia.

That’s a good perspective!

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. (1 Peter 2.11, NKJV)

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving…Therefore do not become partners with them. (Ephesians 5.3, 4, 7, ESV)

I saw something I hadn’t noticed before in Jesus’ instructions to the 70 he sent out in Luke 10:

Don’t feel the need to shift from one house to another, but stay put in one home during your time in that city. Eat and drink whatever they serve you. Receive their hospitality, for you are my harvester, and you deserve to be cared for. When you enter into a new town, and you have been welcomed by its people, follow these rules: Eat what is served you. (Luke 10.7, 8, Passion Translation, emphasis mine)

Twice Jesus told them to eat what they were served. The Passion Translation has a note on that:

This instruction to “eat what is served” was given twice, for the Jewish dietary laws were not meant to be a hindrance in their ministry, nor were the disciples to demand certain foods.

The 70 were traveling teachers, men with some inherent respect in their own culture, but they were not to use that authority to demand either their preferences or to correct some violation of Kosher law as the Passion Translation note suggests.

I think as messengers of the gospel in this culture, we could go a long way by not always demanding our rights. We could stand to be more winsome and less in-your-face. 

Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. (1 Peter 2.12 – 17, MSG)

We celebrated our 52nd anniversary, two weeks after the fact, at Mt Elbert Lodge, near Twin Lakes, Colorado. The leaves are turning out here. Here’s the view from our front porch. 

⁵  Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
⁶  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.
⁷  How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
⁹  For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. (Psalm 36.5 – 9, ESV)

Here’s another thought from Jesus’ sending out the 70 in Luke 10.

After this, the Lord Jesus formed thirty-five teams among the other disciples. Each team was two disciples, seventy in all, and he commissioned them to go ahead of him into every town he was about to visit. He released them with these instructions: “The harvest is huge and ripe. But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to drive out into his harvest fields many more workers. Now, off you go! I am sending you out even though you feel as vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves. (Luke 10.1 – 3, Passion Translation)

70 men sent out on a successful mission:

When the seventy missionaries returned to Jesus, they were ecstatic with joy, telling him, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we commanded them in your name!” (Luke 10.17, Passion Translation)

70 men, and we don’t even know their names. Maybe they were among the 120 in Acts 1, but we don’t know their names either. Most of us will serve, as the hymn says, “unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown.”

And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. Jeremiah 45.5, ESV)

I saw something intriguing in the Passion Translation of Luke 10.2:

The harvest is huge and ripe. But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to drive out into his harvest fields many more workers. (Emphasis mine)

Here’s the footnote on “drive out”:

This is the term used many times in the Gospels for driving out or casting out demons. The Lord of the Harvest must cast them forth.

Maybe that explains why some people MUST go into formal mission work. They are driven to it. Here’s what the Apostle Paul said:

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9.16, ESV)

Maybe it also explains why more people aren’t involved in mission, even right where they are. We don’t have a labor shortage as many of us have often said. We have a prayer shortage.

Plead with the Owner of the Harvest to drive out into the harvest fields many more workers. (Luke 10.2, Passion Translation)

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9.37, 38, ESV, emphasis mine)