Reading
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”
Luke 10:33-35 (NIV)
Reflection
During Lent, I’ve been pausing to delve a little deeper whenever I’m curious about something related to the topic of salvation. Most recently, it meant looking into the background of a couple of words.
I’ve often been fascinated by the connection that the word “salve” (a healing ointment) has to the word salvation. In fact, it shapes how I think about what it means to be saved. To me, salvation means not only anticipating going to heaven in the afterlife – although that is hugely important to me and always has been – salvation also means that the “abundant life” Jesus offers is for the here and now, not just after we die. When we accept God’s saving grace, we won’t necessarily be any more “blessed” in the ways the world defines such things (like money, power, or prestige) but our souls will be fulfilled more and more as we learn to surrender our lives more and more to following Christ daily. Even as I type those words “following Christ daily” it touches me somewhere deep in my soul, because I know that’s what abundant life is about.
All of this got me even more curious about this connection between a healing “salve” and salvation. I can’t help but think of the words from that famous spiritual, “There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.” Indeed, Christ’s sacrifice—of himself and his life—is inextricably related to why I can proclaim that all is well with my soul. The perfect love that led Jesus to go to the cross is the same perfect love that heals me, like a salve.
When I looked at some sources on the background of the Latin word “salve” I was interested in the fact that Romans probably would have connected with this word. The source I encountered told me it was often used as a standard and polite greeting, meaning, “be well.” Perhaps it’s like us saying, “I hope you’re doing well.” However, the healing Jesus offers us isn’t a matter of being polite. It’s a life-transforming sacrifice.
What’s also interesting to me is the way the New Testament Greek word (often transliterated into English as “sozo”) pertains to our topic here. In the active form, this word means, “I save.” This root is why the theological study of salvation is called soteriology. Yet, the implications of the word “sozo” run much deeper than just “saving.” It also implies being made whole in body and soul. When I proclaim that God has saved me, I’m proclaiming that God is seeing to the healing of my total self—mind, body, and spirit.
This is one of the many reasons that I cherish the parable of the Good Samaritan, from which our scripture reading for today comes. The “hero” in that story – the man who had compassion and acted upon it – offered radical and complete caring. His way of getting involved didn’t stop at bending down and saying some words of kindness or helping the man back up. He tended to him, cared for him, even generously set him up with an innkeeper so he’d have a place to stay, with supplies procured for his recuperation. The Good Samaritan was offering a salve that pertained to mind, body, and spirit.
And so it is with the healing that Jesus offers us. Jesus is concerned about our total well-being. Jesus hopes for our life to be completely abundant, and he’s given everything to make that healing possible. During some of my prayer times, I’ve taken to praying the following: “Lord Jesus, keep me from living a life that is just ‘so-so.’ Instead, let it sink deeply into my soul that you offer me complete ‘sozo.’”
Prayer
Lord Jesus, in you we find everything we need. You love us completely, and your love saves us completely. Help us to live in such a way that we might bring a bit of that healing balm to the experience of others. Amen.
