Saint James UCC of Hamburg, NY

Leviticus 19:18a; Matthew 19:19; Luke 6:20, 11:5-8;
John 13:34, 15:12; 1 Corinthians 13

Preached by Charley Markus
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Jesus described God as a loving father. The word he used was "abba." A more accurate translation, therefore, would be daddy or "papa" for it was a term of endearment used more commonly by a child. As we heard a few moment ago, John 13:34 reads "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another." Jesus' teaching, then, is to love one another as he and Abba love us.

In first century Palestine, the village was the nucleus of the peasant society and economy. It contained common property, including the village well and the village oven. Passages from Leviticus, Exodus, and Deuteronomy, were the basis of the "Debt Code." This code was the foundation of the village set of moral laws. Providing hospitable and generous treatment of guest was part of that code. That section was referred to as the Hospitality Code. Jesus supported these laws and criticized the religious leaders for ignoring them.

The village peasants' hospitality to visitors and travelers challenged the efforts of their rich oppressors to dehumanize them. It stifled attempts to reduce them to creatures whose lives were obsessed by the desire to survive. In the parable of the Guest at Midnight, Jesus was telling the peasants that rather than cave in to the desire to hoard and accumulate (the practice of the rich), they should show love and compassion toward each other by continuing to share and to provide hospitality.

This redistribution of wealth and food represented a different order of human relationships. It was an order molded by justice and sharing. Jesus affirmed this village hospitality as a practice taught by the Torah. Jesus was saying that this was how things worked in the world he envisioned. This practice on the part of the poor is an example of what Jesus meant when he said that God's world belonged to them. The Friend at Midnight parable illustrates this trust in mutual support.

As an itinerant, Jesus trust in God translated in practice to trust in those he met along the road and in the laws of hospitality. Jesus knew very well that in the real world not everyone who asks receives. Yet, he urged his disciples to act with confidence that a request would bring a positive response. Jesus was telling his listeners to love one another by obeying the laws of hospitality and trusting that others would do likewise.

The Debt Code and the Roman system of patronage were two ends of the societal spectrum. Keep in mind, however, that to other people of that time and place, patronage was normal, legal and ethical. It was the thread that held society together. Patronage permeated every level of society. It was commonplace between Roman gods and emperors, between emperors and governors, between aristocrats and peasants, and, indeed, between any "have" and any "have-not".

Think of the more or less acceptable political patronage still practiced today. Enlarge it to structure all of society at every level. Now, consider it morally right. When you do all of this, you will have an understanding of the Roman patronage system. Patronage was needed by rulers, praised by philosophers, proclaimed by inscriptions, and used from Caesar on down to the lowliest peasant.

Compare this to Jesus' vision of society, a society based upon love and compassion. No wonder the elites could not fathom the peasant's sharing with one another and especially with traveling strangers who could offer nothing in return. No wonder the elites (Roman and Jew alike) saw Jesus as a threat. No wonder that even the disciples (when vying for a position in Jesus' new kingdom) had to be told, "The first shall be last."

So, how do we get the message of adherence to the hospitality laws from the Guest at Midnight parable?

Let's play "What if … " ? By that I mean, "Consider the possibility."

What if … ." The quest at midnight parable is explaining what to do if someone is tempted to wander away from the village ethic and fails to obey the hospitality laws.

Let's take a closer look at Jesus' parable about the guest at midnight. As we do, try to place yourself in the position of these villagers. Remember, it is not a 21st century, American village. The village is a very small group of families clustered around a courtyard. That courtyard includes the village well and the village oven. To drive home the point, notice that this translation makes you, the listener, the reluctant neighbor.

Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend who comes to you in the middle of the night …

Notice that the translation here is "middle of the night" not "midnight." Perhaps at the time this passage was translated into English, clocks of some sort were in use. That is not true of first century Galilee. Once the sun went down, the peasants would have no idea of the exact time. However, we do know from the story that it is after some had retired. We know that it is very late. Once again:

Suppose you have a friend who comes to you in the middle of the night and says to you, "Neighbor, lend me three loaves, 6for a friend of mine on a trip has just shown up and I have nothing to offer him."

Why are you the particular neighbor who was asked to donate?

There was only one oven for the village. Since everyone could not use the oven at the same time, different families used it on different days. Everyone in the village knew who used it and when.

What if … ? Yours is the last family to have used the oven. Okay, that makes sense but why three loaves? Why wouldn't just one be enough?

Bread was more than just a part of the meal. There was no flatware. Bread also served as the utensils. It was dipped into a common dish shared by all at the meal. The loaves were small and two loaves were considered adequate for a meal. However, it was not polite to run out.

What if … ? The host is asking you for one more than what was needed for the quest's meal.

And suppose you reply, "Stop bothering me. The door is already locked and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up to give you anything."

Remember the setting is a small cluster of tiny homes surrounding a common area.

What if … ? Even though only two people are having this conversation, the whole village can hear it. Everyone would know of the your refusal.

I tell you, even though you won't get up and give your neighbor anything out of friendship, you will get up and give the other whatever is needed because you'd be ashamed not to.

What if … ? In the world of Jesus' vision, people not only follow the principles of love and compassion for one another by following the rules of the Hospitality Code but also encourage others to do so.

What if … ? This is the reason Jesus said, "Congratulations, you poor! God's world belongs to you." Jesus was saying that God's world belonged to them not because they were poor. He was saying that because they were poor they loved one another by showing compassion and caring for those among them who were in need.

June is filled with reasons to celebrate. So, as you celebrate Fathers' Day, graduations, birthdays, or simply the official first day of summer, I remind you of Jesus' teaching as express in the Gospel of John (15:12): "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."