It is the nature of any kingdom to work! The individual members of the kingdom have personal responsibilities of their own; like taking care of their families and keeping an eye on their neighbors to see that they are not suffering. Jesus’ parable of the “Good Samaritan” is one of the best, if not the best, teaching on helping those that they come across in their daily lives.
It is good that we read this parable and not just refer to it; therefore, the parable: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” (Luke 10:30-36). Jesus’ heart wrenching question at the end of the parable still carries the same weight today as when it was first asked: “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?” To the Jews, as they detested the Samaritans, and here Jesus hit their heart with a spiritual sword! As it was the despised Samaritan who rendered compassion to the “wounded” man. Not only did he aid the man who had been left “half dead” by a priest who passed by on the other side;” then, “likewise a Levite,” “passed by on the other side;” but it was the despised Samaritan who “had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” How this must have reached the heart of the questioner. Who said: “willing to justify himself, questioned Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:29). But, now notice what the Samaritan did to the “half dead” man; this man, the “Good Samaritan,” “set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee” (Luke 10:34-35). Here, in the heart of the detested Samaritan, we have found what must be the nature of each “village” of the kingdom of Christ!
You see, somethings are always true and here is one such! The question: “who is my neighbour?” Should never be asked again! The apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). This applies to both the individual and the “village.” As each individual member of the “village” is able to handle the need, let it be so; however, if the need is larger than the individual can take care of, it should be brought to the attention of the “overseers.” Let God receive the glory in both responses! Notice if you will, Paul’s words: “especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Which is tempered with this truth: “Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (2 Thess. 3:12). Each member of the “village” has responsibilities, as they have abilities! The King never puts responsibilities upon any member, that the member is unable to do, but the King does hold each member with the responsibility(ies) that the member has; great or small! Every member can do something!
It does not have to be like the “Good Smartian” but something so simple as to send a card to those who are sick, one who is downhearted, or those who are shut-in! Just think, how uplifting and inspiring, it would be for a non-member to open their mailbox and to find a card from you! There is tucked away in Paul’s words to Timothy, as he wrote how to handle the widows and the widows indeed, these simple words: “let not the church be charged” (1 Tim. 5:16). The point being that family members must take care of their own and not look to the church. Finally, more of Paul’s words: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8). The first look for help is not to the “village” but the family members!
Yes, there is personal, family, and “village” responsibilities toward those in need! As I have reached the conclusion to the next to last short series of articles on, “The working of the kingdom of Christ,” I trust that you can see, as it might have been in the first century, a physical kingdom, with a king, who is sitting upon his throne, and out before him he can see the villages that make up his kingdom. Transfer this now to the spiritual kingdom of Christ and see her at work through the actions of each “village!” Each “village” having been charged by the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” with her fulness of her own work.
Frank R. Williams