I won’t say it’s certain, but it seems likely there will soon be some unrest in our nation. We are in an era of profoundly contentious politics, a day when frustration and dissatisfaction is paraded down our burning and blockaded streets. There are myriad questions about how we got here, about how Christians should view their voting strategies and political alliances. There is also, however, the here and now. We need, as some of our own hotheads love to remind us, to know what time it is.
While irrational racial animosity certainly played a part, the wedge between the Jews and the Samaritans was hammered in place by genuine conflicts and disagreements. There were surely centuries of debates between the two sides. Note how the woman at the well, a Samaritan, jumped quickly in her conversation with Jesus to the question of where worship was to take place (John 4:20). Note too, however, how His answer rose above geography.
The same is true in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Finding the Jewish gentleman battered, bruised and bereft, the Samaritan didn’t try to solve that riddle of where worship was to take place. He didn’t say, “If you hadn’t been headed to Jerusalem, this wouldn’t have happened. This is God’s judgment on you for making such a big deal out of Jerusalem.” No, he helped. Because his neighbor was in need. Were there answers to the questions dividing these two peoples? Yes. Did they matter at that moment? Not especially.
If unrest comes, we would be wise to keep this in mind. We ought not ration our care for those who are deemed to be on what we consider the correct side of our cultural divide. We don’t add to the turmoil in support of “our side.” Instead we remember our calling to live in peace and quietness with all men, as commanded (I Thess. 4:11). Instead we rest in the promise of Jesus that both peacemakers, and those persecuted for His sake are blessed (Matt. 5).
I’m not arguing for pacifism. I’m not suggesting there’s anything wrong with self-defense. I am arguing that we walk in gospel offense.
Anger will likely spike in our country post-election. We may find it mostly among those deemed to have lost. We may find it among those deemed to have won. Either way, Christians must embrace this opportunity to shine our light before men. We must embrace the opportunity to follow the example of the true Good Neighbor. We mustn’t let our political allegiances, as important as they may be, cause us to lose sight to our ultimate allegiance, to the Lord of Glory, the One who commands us to love our enemies.
It is both an important time and an easy time to remember that we are engaged in the great war between the Seed of the Woman and the seed of the serpent. It is likewise an important time, but a difficult time to remember that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, that we war not with flesh and blood. Let us put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6). May we walk by faith, and serve our neighbor in need.