Boundaries have been put up between people since the beginning of time. In Jesus’ day, there were the Samaritans. In America’s recent history, we had slaves. Today, a growing number of people find disdain in those of us who would call ourselves conservative Christians. The preoccupation with protecting boundaries between the preferred and the despised peoples is not limited to the ancient Samaritan and Jewish conflict of the first century. It is ever-much alive today. John 4:4-42 can be read alongside the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). In Luke, the outrage is that the detested Samaritan is the good neighbor, the agent of mercy (Luke 10:37). The Samaritan crosses the boundary and breaks the restriction against contact between Jew and Samaritan and cares for the wounded man (Luke 10:34). In Luke, Jesus holds up the Samaritan traveler as an example (Luke 10:37) and illustrates that acts of mercy should be governed by need and compassion (Luke 10:33), not by current societal issues, political correctness, and fears. John conveys a similar challenge but in a more radical form, because it is not a character in a parable who upsets social norms but Jesus himself. Jesus initiates contact with a Samaritan, asking her to attend to his need (John 4:7). He then offers the Samaritan woman the gift of God (John 4:10) and reveals his identity to her (John 4:26). He treats the Samaritan woman, the Samaritans in the village as full human beings and as worthy recipients of the grace of God, not as the despised enemy from whom to fear contamination. You want to see a Christian? Look for one who tears down boundaries like Jesus did!
Posts Tagged ‘Boundaries’
Day 147: John 4:4-26 — Boundaries
Thursday, May 27th, 2010Day 33: Matthew 20:17-34 — Boundaries
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010One of the purposes of this blog is to write about one of the texts we are reading for the day. Sometimes, God’s Word leads me to a word study, a theological concept or doctrine, connects me with another place in scripture, or it just inspires me. Today, I was reading Matthew 20:20-23. Jesus encountered the mother of the sons of Zebedee. It kind of tickled me as I imagined the Zebedee brothers following behind their mother while she tells Jesus what she wants and then they expect to sit in the highest place of honor in Heaven. What an awkward scene. A preacher listening to a mother’s request and it is amazing that Jesus pretty much tells her “no.” He sets up a boundary and it doesn’t matter what some mother wants for her kids. Can you believe it? The Kingdom of God is more important and critical than what a mother wants? I don’t know why this resonates with me — maybe it is my own failure at setting limits with others. I am fascinated with Jesus’ skill at setting limits.
I find comfort in knowing that as a Christian it is all right to set limits. When someone is asking us to do something that is opposite of God’s plan and is not within the realm of our ability to provide, it is alright to say “no.” Jesus does not expect us to give in to unrealistic expectations. I feel better and I know why. Once upon a time, a mother came to me and told me to fix her adult son. He had strayed away from the church and she expected me to fix him, get a suit on him, “make him right with God,” and get him back in church. I felt bad and figured I was a terrible minister because I knew I did not have the power to fix him and I told her “no.” I set a limit and she was not happy. It was awkward. I offered prayer, visitation, counseling, but I could not promise to fix him the way she wanted, nor did I want to.
If Jesus is my friend wouldn’t he let my children sit at the left hand and right hand of God? I mean isn’t Jesus able to do anything? He is the Son of God! He is our Savior! He is all powerful! Why then doesn’t he give in to all of our requests? Why does Jesus set limits? Why does Jesus say, “no.” Maybe a better question is who in the world do we think we are to think we can fix everyone and everything? If Jesus sets limits, who are we to think we don’t have to? If Jesus lives within the limits of the Kingdom then why shouldn’t we? You know there is something holy and healing about boundaries! What do you think?