"Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:25-37 is the lectionary Gospel text for Pentecost V.

Sometimes the meaning of a word is just its meaning, and it is consistently used to mean the same thing.  The Gospel writers used very specific words often to convey the message of Jesus.  agaph is a word that is used very often, in fact, most often regarding love in the Gospels.  The word means love, but a specific love that is distinct from the other three Koine words used for love.  agaph is not a feeling.  It is active commitment, committed action.  It is not about receiving in any way, but is rather all about the object, the other.  It has in its definition an element of self-sacrifice and it is unconditional by nature.  It is intended to be given freely to strangers and enemies, and especially to those who are most vulnerable among us.  It is a command of Jesus, perhaps you could say “THE Command of Jesus.” 

How can a single word encapsulate all that meaning?  It is in its usage that we come to understand what Jesus commands in the living of agaph in the world.  There are many passages in the Gospels that collectively define the action of living agaph. This passage from Luke (see also Matthew 22:31-46 and Mark 12:28-34) offers Jesus’ reiteration of the Torah in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 as common knowledge among the people of God’s expectation on love and life.  When the Gospel writer shares a challenge for definition on who Neighbor is, Jesus answers with the story of the Good Samaritan.  The fellow Israelite priest and Levite failed to live the law of God with one who was one of them.  It was the Samaritan, at best a rival and most commonly considered an enemy, and certainly a stranger who was the example of faithfulness to the extremely vulnerable person in front of him.

He had compassion.  He went out of his way to help the stranger/enemy.  He went the extra mile, even to self-sacrifice to do so.  He did not do the least he could, but rather came back to offer more.  He showed mercy to one who was a stranger and perhaps enemy in his vulnerable state.  Jesus made the Samaritan the example of faithfulness for Israelites in the story.  Jesus told His followers, “Go and do likewise.” 

THIS is the meaning of agaph. THIS is what is commanded by Jesus in order for us to be faithful to God.  It is not thoughts and prayers.  It is not conditional.  It is not only done when it is convenient or does not mean any sacrifice for us.  The agaph that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us is active commitment/committed action on the behalf of the other, even stranger or enemy, and especially the most vulnerable among us. 

It is our command.  If we want the world to be a better place, and if we want to be faithful to Jesus, THIS is our command.  If everyone were to live by this agaph code of Jesus, the world would be transformed.  Life would be sustainable for all, because if all give selflessly, all receive equally.  It is Jesus’ command.  THIS is God’s Kingdom come and God’s Will being done on earth as it is in heaven.  THIS is the center of the Good News of Jesus.  Regardless of a person being one of “us” or being “worthy” or being a “Christian” or anything else, if a person in front of us is in need we are to do likewise.  It is not about us, but about them.  It IS about us being faithful to Jesus.  It IS about us living as Neighbor out of faithfulness to God.  But this living of agaph is about us transforming the world by loving the other, actively and unconditionally, even when it means some sacrifice on our behalf. 

The word is defined in its lived context in the Gospels.  WE are defined in whether or not we live what we are commanded by one we call LORD.  The Samaritan lived active commitment/took committed action on behalf of the other who was stranger and enemy, and who was vulnerable in front of him. 

Do you hear Him?  Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”