_ Lesson Subject: Teaching About Compassion Lesson Scripture: Lk. 7:11-23; Lk. 10:25-37 There was a time when loving our neighbor was easy - or so we thoughts Our neighbors were those families who lived dose by; those whom we knew personally by nhme; those from whom we borrowed a cup of sugar or an egg or two; those whom we ate with often, who knew some of the • in-house seCrets. and'whom we loved as family. Jesus, however, didn’t and doesn’t .offer nor accept ibis idea of a niehbor. When the lawyer asked “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus did not.answer with a description of a neighbor as described above, who is my neighbor? He is not .necessarily someone who lives dose by. Not necessarily someone in my social strudure-as is the case in many neighborhoods. He may be someone who lives in a poorer or wealthier section of town. He is not .necessarily someone who has a familiar name and face, nor neces sarily someone who shares my Christian beliefs. A neighbor may not even like me. In fad he may be someone who despises me. My neighbor is not .someone who can help me necessartiy. He may be someone who needs my help and may never be able to repay the favor. LESSON BACKGROUND Jesus had just sent out .tbe 70 to minister to people’s] needs (Lu|ee 10:1). Those 70 came back rejoicing because so much good was done when unselfish service was offered in tbe name of Jesus (Verse 17). The victorious account of tbe 70 caused Jesus to offer again a prayer of Thanksgiving to God for tbe joy and promise of future triumph implied in tbe obedient service of tbe meek and lowly. Following tbis, Jesus spoke a private wprd to tbe 70 (Vv. 21, 24). We cannot .tell if tbe question of tbe lawyer in our test was asked in tbe midst.of tbis discussion or at some other occasion shortly afterwards. It .seems most .probable that tbis took place in or near Jerusalem. ( Vs. 25) A teacher of tbe.law came up and tried to trap Jesus. ‘Teacher,” he asked, “what jnust J do to receive eternaTlife?” Lawyers in Jesus’ day were not tbe same as lawyers today. These men were pro ; fessional teachers and interpreters of tbe Mosaic law. and tbe traditions that.had grown up around it. A comparison of Matthew 22:34 and Mark 12:28suggests that, tbe term lawyer was synonymous with that of “scribe.” A comparison of Luke'5:l7 -21 suggests the same. Because uf tbcpUtce of the law in Jewish life, these men exercised great influence over the people. This lawyer was trying to get Jesus to say something that could be used against Jlim and thereby discredit. Him before tbe people. Sometlmes^ome of us are like this lawyer. We ask leading questions to'try and trap a teacher so wb can show.him where he is wrong. We are >not ]looking~'for enlight enment or fellowship, but a fight.We are not. concerned that.other students learn, but that they notice yrho wins tbe argument. On, tbe subject .‘of eternal life tbe Old Testament is not nearly so Clear as the New, It.is evident]that.some of tbe Jews did believe in lifd after death, but .they must have had mtrth discussion‘on how to attain it. Vv. 26-29, Jesus answered mm, wnai no the scriptures say? How do you interpret them?” The man answered, ‘‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart*, with all your soul, with all your strength, arid .with all your mind, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ‘‘You are right*” Jesusi replied, ‘‘do this and you will live.” But the teacher of the law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘‘Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answpred by telling him (the teacher of the law) the parable* of the Good Samaritan, (Luke 10:25-37). When ttye teacher asked Jesus about inherit ing eternal life, he evidently thought'that Jesus would prescribe some new. rites or ceremonies or would in some way disparage the law, Re was startled then to have Jesus reply, “What is written in' the Ufw?” This answer robbed tpe enemy of' his own weapon. The lawyer, replied by, declaring that the law is summarized in tie require ment to love God and man. Jesus again replied, ‘‘Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shait live.” There was rib shadow of evasion or deception In the statement of Jesus.* Perfect Jove to God and to man is surely the way of life; but .whp can show such perfect, love? Jesus came not .‘to destrc rtble redtarement or the law but to reveal its complete fulfillment , to secure pardon for those who ware guilty of its infraction, and to give power to those who felt their need. The reply of Jesus not .only defeated the lawyer; it .smote his conscience. He real ized that .he himself had not .fulfilled the requirements of the law he knew so well. He therefore attempted to justify himself by limiting the sphere to which the law of love applies.. v * p * * Visions of a lifetime, memories of a year and hopes tor the next are all parts of Mary Kirkpatric Harris’ poetry. A Charlottean Mrs. Harris enjoys sharing her works. The following is one of her poems entitled “Night Time Lonely’’: A stray hound lopes through my yard, It is below evening; The Brashness of adolescent disco music thumps the air, coming from next door. Is that the evening star? Hesperus has grown since last night. Maybe I am less. I place each foot carefully on the stair treads. Why break something which may not mend? Ah, sanctuary! King sized and yellow draped. The bed lamp gives the illusion of a friendly face. This forever desert that is my bed, knows better. I should have invited the hound in. _ Mary Robinson Crowned “Woman Of The Year” .. Kannapolis - “Two of the most important things in life are to study God’s word for yourself and to attend church,” stated Mary Robinson who was recently crowned "Woman of the Year” at Marable Memorial AME Zion Church. “I just love church work,” Mrs. Robinson commented. "I love that more than anything else.” Her evidence of faith and desire to work in the house of the Lord are both shown through the many activi ties she involves herself with. She is a Deaconess; . Class Leader; Life Matron of the Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary So ciety of the AME Hon Church; a member of the Sunday School of the church andls’active oh the* Pastor’s Aid Board. Married to Robert L. Robinson, Mrs. Robinson has one son, Robert L. Robinson Jr. and his wife. Shirley. Mrs. Robinson has two grandchildren, Jaslyn Sheree and Jonathan. Mrs. Robinson has worked in the Cannon Mills for 14 years as a spinner. But for just about as long as she can remember she has praised God to the highest and enjoys attend ing the 350-member church, Marable Memorial AME Zion Church, pas tored by Rev. James R. Samuel. The church is located at 503 Spring St., Kannapolis. The many years of work in the church, in addition to the faith and inspiration shown by Mrs. Robinson helped in granting her with the distinguishing title of “Woman of the Year" in her church. Even in con versation you know that . Mrs. Robinson is gifted with the joyous attitude of being kind and helpful to others...qualities to be recognized. Reasons CMS Closes During Inclement Weadier The Charlotte-Mecklen burg School System is made up of 107 schools and special programs with nearly 72,000 students. It is the 31st largest public school system in the country. These are a few reasons according to Cam Keyser, public information special ist, that school administra tors choose to close schools all day rather than delay the opening of classes during inclement weather Since students in the Char lotte-Mecklenburg School System are scattered across 530 miles, officials believe the area is too large and complex for a delayed opening method to worn smoothly. "Also, if we decided on a delayed opening, many students would be left at home, unattended for se veral hours after their pa rents had left for work. Our gasoline trucks would not have enough time to reach all buses for refueling and servicing during the day,” Keyser stated. He pointed out the first school opens at 7:25 a m., and the last one beginsat 9 a m., requiring a full hour and 30 minutes to open all schools in the system. Subscribe to The Charlotte Post °^.*>**f * A*P *,or*' *«capt aa apacfftcalty not ad ) SAT- JAN » AT A&P IN CHARLOn ■ rTEMSOPFEREP FOR SALE NOT AVAILABLE TO OTHER RETAIL DEALERS OR WHOLESALERS Cl334 CENTRAL AVE. «180 SHARON AMITY • 4337 PARK ROAD A 1015 PROVIDENCE RD. *4459 CENTRAL AVE. • 1600 WEST TRADE ' _ *5831 S. BLVD. I Between now and Jan. 8. wo will redeem all national manufactur er'a centa-off coupons up to 50* for double their value. Oner good on national manufacturers' cents off coupons only. (Food retailer coupons not accepted.) Cus tomer must purchase coupon product In specified sUe. Ex pired coupons will not bo hon ored. One coupon per customer per Item. No coupons accepted lor free merchandise. Offer does not apply to AAP or other store coupons whether manufacturer Is mentioned or not When the value of the coupons exceeds 50* or the retail of the Item, this offer | Is limited to the retail price. V CUp the Manufacturers' "Cents-Off” Coupons from your mad, newspapers and magazines . . . then bring them to you^A P Food Store! Savings are Great with ASP’s DOUBLE SAVINGS COUPONS! • mcs me a*p aooco 1 total coupon Coupon CEMTSOPT CEMTS Off AT AAP COUPON A 25* 25* ' 50* COUPON B 18* 18* ' 36' COUPON C 50* ’ 50* " VTOO COUPON o| 75* "T~ 25* $100 F1m~« A&P QUALITY HEAVY WESTERN GRAINFED BEEF 1 Bottom & Eve WH0LE IRound avg ,b ^ u.s.d.a.^nspecteT" FRESH Fryer Breast .J8C i BLUE RIDGE BRAND Sliced Bacon -a>AE FARA# * GOLDEN YELLOW RIPE READY-TO-EAT Dole . Bananas 4 s, (EAST^hTgROWN-""""^ f FLORIDA GROWN JUICY 'X ALL PURPOSE I RED OR WHITE White Potatoes *10 *1“ myy— ^«eax ' | FLAV-O-RICH ingS ALL NATURAL ^ Homogenized Milk Breyer’S “| 00 2°° High life FLORIDAGOLD | Miller Beer L Orange Juice • a19 I 100 12 Oz Bottles 1 /a 9al UZ. ponies Good Only In Charlotte 1| Ctn. ■ . SUPER SAVER COUPON ) — ^ ^ -——y You Pay Only J