Pastor Speaks
June 5, 2003

In the final episode of Sienfeld, before the program left the air, the plot had to do with the fact that Jerry and his pals were guilty of breaking the local "Good Samaritan" law. That meant as innocent bystanders they failed to respond to a woman in trouble. Thus they were put in jail and tried and convicted for their crime. When Jerry and his buddies end up in jail they whine and immediately call for a lawyer. They can’t understand that standing by and doing nothing is a criminal offense. The prosecutor blackens their character by presenting a parade of people whom they have taken advantage of in the past. The jury is persuaded and Jerry and his pals are sentenced to jail. Although the event is surrounded with humor and laughter, it is a real satire on their pathetic lives.

In the book of Acts, (16:19-34), Paul is imprisoned for setting a slave girl free. He was a Good Samaritan but in that culture he committed a crime. This is just one example of Paul’s ministry. The more he spoke the truth, the more he found himself in hot water. But, Paul remained committed to the gospel in spite of the consequences. He was willing to take risks and it often yielded him repercussions. Paul, however was focused on doing good and his reward was seeing others free or made whole.

Unlike Jerry and his pals, Paul and his friends accept their punishment without whining or complaining. Instead, they are jailed and end up singing hymns. They are hopelessly chained, no foreseeable way out. Rather than feel sorry for themselves or call an attorney, they seize the opportunity to sing and pray. And while they are being hopeful in a hopeless situation, other prisoners are taking note of their faith.

Someone once said, "No one in this world knows enough to be a pessimist." These words could have been easily said by Paul. Paul has hope. He is either optimistic about the future or totally unconcerned since he believes he has done his best. Perhaps we are hopeless because we are too concerned with our survival. The great Methodist preacher, Leotine Kelly once said, "we need to treat every moment as a new beginning, a new door."

Just about the time all seemed hopeless for Paul, an earthquake shakes the prison and Paul and his friends are free to walk away from their cell and escape. But in the process, the jailer, feeling derelict in his duties, is about to take his life. Paul intervenes and the man wants to be saved. He is converted, and as a result he has his entire family baptized. Paul continues to do ministry even when the door to freedom is standing open. He is focused on the lives of others and therefore puts his own life on hold. Fortunately when daylight came, Paul and his friends are set free.

When it came to overwhelming odds and hopelessness Paul responded with praise and reverence to God. It was customary for Paul to "rejoice in his suffering." For regardless of his predicament he said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

We are living in troubled times as a struggling economy, corporate greed, threats of terrorism and widespread disease take their toll on the masses. Consequently, many people are feeling hopeless and anxious about the future. To be faithful is not popular and many people are feeling empty, desperate and lacking hope. Whining and complaining is a far more dominate attitude in our society rather than the joy of giving or helping others. Too many respond to hopeless situations by passing them on to government or social agencies. And now the government, with its "faith based initiative" program for example, is trying to pass the problems to the organized church.

How do you respond to a hopeless situation? Are you like Jerry and his pals, standing on the sidelines, not willing to get involved? Are you imprisoned by your despair, whining and complaining? Or, are you like Paul and his friends, committed to helping others and proclaiming the gospel at whatever the risk? What this story illustrates is that the only way to handle hopeless situations is to remain faithful, believing in the power of God and continuing to love our neighbors, whatever the cost. The end result is a continued journey, personal freedom and not surprisingly, more opportunities in the future that will demand your love.

Dr. Keith Wagner
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Sidney, Ohio