Richard W. Steffen: “Neighbors

Neighbors

by Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music

“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (New International Version, John 13:34).

We have been interacting with others in a different way these last 7 months, and we have had opportunities to consider our understanding of very important concepts.

Justice, kindness, humility, hospitality, openness,

and neighborliness are a few. And how our perception of neighborhood has changed! Throughout our church’s history, we have learned from and been inspired by our global servants. Our denomination and our church have always sought to have a “heart for missions.” Last month we were inspired by the Rev. Deliris Carrión-Joseph in a YouTube worship service, and the words of our scriptures, prayers, and songs in our worship services prompt us to see God’s work being done in all corners of the world.

November this year will be different. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will happen but it will be different. There will still be generous offers in Black Friday sales promotions but getting things will be different. Turkey will still be a menu item but it may be smaller. We still have neighbors and some of them who are far away seem even closer. Technology has continued to make distant places appear nearby.

Jesus spoke about neighbors. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:42-44). When asked about which commandments should be kept, Jesus said, “ ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Matthew 19:19).

In the Gospel of Mark, we read that one of the teachers of the law interacted with Jesus about the commandments and neighbors. He said, “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:32-33). And on one occasion, an expert in the law asked Jesus, “ ‘Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?’ He (Jesus) answered, ‘What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?’ He said, ‘That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.’ ‘Good answer!’ said Jesus. ‘Do it and you’ll live’ ” (The Message, Luke 10:25-28). When asked to define “neighbor,” Jesus gave the parable that we know of as “The Good Samaritan.”

When we sing in worship, we also ask: “And who is my neighbor?” (NIV Luke 10:29) A Scottish missionary to Africa gave us a song that we have used in our worship services: “Jesu, Jesu.” Tom Colvin (1925-2000) was trained as an engineer and worked in that profession in Burma and Singapore in the 1940s. After studying theology at Trinity College at Glasgow University, he was ordained in the Church of Scotland, and he served as missionary in Nyasaland (now Malawi) and in Ghana for nearly 30 years. His work there included preaching, education, and community development. After completing his missionary work, Colvin became a minister and served at an inner-city church in London. He then returned to Africa in 1984. In 1963 Colvin wrote the words and music to this song.

The tune for the song (tune name Chereponi) comes from a town in northern Ghana, where the hymn was written. The melody is adapted from a Ghana folk song that he heard during his ministry there. While he was attending a laytraining course in agriculture, development, and evangelism, new Christians from Ghana had brought a folk melody to this meeting which they thought might be appropriate for a text about Christian love. Colvin reflects on his song. “Sitting there in the moonlight, I felt it simply had to be about black and white, rich and poor. I was ashamed of the wasteful affluence of my people but proud of the Gospel that transforms us into servants of one another.” Here are his lyrics.

Chorus: Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you.

Kneels at the feet of his friends, silently washes their feet, Master who acts as a slave to them. Chorus

Neighbors are rich and poor, neighbors are black and white, neighbors are near and far away. Chorus

These are the ones we should serve, these are the ones we should love; all these are neighbors to us and You. Chorus

Serving puts us on our knees, serving as though we are slaves, this is the way we should live with You. Chorus

Kneel at the feet of our friends, silently washing their feet, this is the way we should live with You. Chorus