The text that was offered on July 15^th provided for many of us to hear the parable of the Good Samaritan.  This parable has been heard so often and is a parable that is known by those who are not even a part of the Christian faith.  We even have a “Good Samaritan” law.   I offered the sermon for the day, emphasizing putting ourselves in the place of the victim, the man in the ditch and in so, we begin to see the unconditional mercy, restoration and grace God brings to us, by coming to us in our daily need, in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord.  Thanks be to God Almighty.

Some of the comments after the service were very inspiring.  I heard of people who had been in situations in which strangers came to their aid.  The affirmation that there are Christian acts of mercy and care abounding in our communities is a witness to God’s presence among us.   And on the flip side, there were people who shared stories of their reaching out and even reaching out with random acts of kindness.  Pastor Craig shared that some times, when going through a drive-through fast food place, he’ll pay for the order for the car behind him.  One, the attendant finds it difficult to deal with and two, to see the faces and confusion on the part of those receiving brings joy and laughter to Pastor Craig.  

Please note the joy and laughter that comes in serving others.  Yes, to serve others for no reason at all other than God has provided and will continue to provide, does change the day and attitudes of those who receive.  But who really received in Pastor Craig’s sharing?  It was Pastor Craig.  Being of servant of our Risen Lord isn’t so much of reaching out from a position of fortunate toward the less fortunate.  It’s about serving Jesus who has reached into the ditch, who has entered our wounded-ness, who has taken care of us, healing us at his cost and asking of nothing in return.

  In serving it is we who are transformed.  In serving, allowing the acts of God that are at work in us, the presence of God at work in us, to become manifest, we come to know God’s presence in us.  And when ever we know that God has touched us and that God is at work in us and through us, we are transformed.  We are changed in such a way that we find ourselves being restored to wholeness and well being with God and with the world.

  There are many ways of serving the Lord.   At Mount Zion, there are so many ways of serving.  Please consider how you can grow and mature in faith by serving the Mount Zion community as well as the community around us.  And may God continue to bless you, your family and your ministry of service in Christ.

In the living hope of our Risen Lord   
Pastor Dan
Contact Pastor Dan at: pastor@mtzionelca.com