According to the National Geographic Society, “A river is a ribbon-like body of water that flows downhill from the force of gravity.” There are over three million rivers in the world, according to the US Geological Survey. And each river carves its own path towards its destination, pulled by the same invisible force that makes life on earth possible.
The writer of Ecclesiastes makes the claim, “Every river flows into the sea, but the sea is not yet full. The water returns to where the rivers began, and starts all over again.” Which isn’t technically true. But, as a metaphor, rivers get the writer’s point across that history repeats itself.
However, rivers also illustrate fluid change. Since the water flows toward the sea, each time you enter the river, you’re in different water.
People often describe differing religions as rivers, with each one flowing toward a common destination. Our comparison suggests a subtle, yet undeniable pull, outside of human control, to which all are affected. Most rivers flow to the sea, but not all. Nevertheless, this common idea symbolizes the commonality shared by different religions.
Rivers also have special meaning in religions. Because Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, no trip to the Holy Land is complete unless one visits the Jordan to reenact our baptism. For Hindus, the Ganges River is personified by a goddess, Ganga Ma. And is thought to be a purifier of sins and granter of salvation. For Buddhists, rivers serve as metaphors for the path to enlightenment. And since the Mekong River flows through multiple Southeast Asia countries, it is a source of life and a path that connects various Buddhist communities.
And religions offer a path. A Way towards a destination.
Taoism is one of several ancient religions that either explicitly or implicitly offer its followers a prescription for living known as “the Way.” Taoism was founded by Lao Tzu who described the way in a rather short book of scripture sometime around the 3rd or 4th century. The Way is described in less than 6000 words. Taoists oppose violence, oppression and power.
Confucianism, founded around 550 BCE, offered no formulas for humanity or divine commandments focusing instead on tangible, day-to-day activities, complexities and dilemmas of life. One of its axioms says simply, “What you do not wish others should do unto you, do not do unto them.” Confucianists pursue their role in ordering and harmonizing the world.
Around the same time as Confucius lived in China, in India, Prince Siddartha Gautama left behind great wealth and power on a quest to eliminate suffering. Followers live by a moderate, but comprehensive and practical system of ethics known as the “Middle Path.” The goal of Buddhists is to achieve harmony with the ultimate Oneness.
Followers of the ancient religion Hindu strive for truth, goodness, and righteousness. And their scriptures offer a way for followers to live in harmony with the world and others.
Mohammed lived by example, a life exemplifying justice and charity. His revelation, compiled into the Koran, offers a way that calls for Muslims to offer hospitality and show kindness and respect to others. Followers experience a deep feeling of community.
The Way adopted by Hebrews profoundly influenced Islam and Christianity. Followers of Judaism seek to create a happier world for all towards a divine unity where each person has freedom of choice and is, therefore, solely responsible for wrong choices, misdeeds, transgressions and loss of self.
These are just a few of the observations made by Leo Buscaglia in this week’s chapter from our companion book. Neither of us dare think we can speak about what others believe without risking misrepresentation. Our observations are from a distance, so any comparisons are void of nuances that differentiate one worldview from another.
Nevertheless, we expect common threads since all religions are rooted in a human interpretation of the mysterious power that binds humanity together and explains our origins and the expectations of the God who created us. As such, each religion offers a way of life that recognizes our humanness and desperate need to know ourselves and to be all that we can be.
Which one acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers? The one who was kind to him. Go and do the same.
Luke 10:36-37
According to Luke, one day Jesus was asked by an expert on interpreting scripture about the Way to eternal life. Jesus responded with a question. “How do you interpret what scriptures tell us?” The expert quickly answered by quoting text. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’,” the man said and, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
This expert knew the scriptures upon which followers of Judaism look to for their Way. He had this in common with Jesus, who acknowledged He agreed with the expert’s answer that comes from two different places in scripture.
Luke tells us the expert was testing Jesus. After all, he already knew what he believed, but wanted to know what Jesus believed. What did they have in common? Perhaps Jesus knew the expert’s question was meant to challenge Him. To draw out whatever discrepancy, no matter how insignificant, that existed between their respective worldviews.
If Jesus was annoyed, His words didn’t show it. Instead, Jesus told the man, in front of all present, “Good answer,” And Jesus encouraged the man to go and do what he said he believed.
But Luke’s story doesn’t end there. The expert responded with another question. “Who is my neighbor?” he asked. Who are my people, my neighbors? Which others are included in the group I’m to love as much as I love myself?
Jesus tells a story to illustrate. A man is robbed and left dying from his injuries. It’s understood the injured man was one of them because he was traveling from Jerusalem. Two people walked by, crossing to the other side of the road. They belonged to the same religious group as the expert. They shared the same religious beliefs. They followed the same way. And both passed by the person in desperate need.
Jesus then says a Samaritan stops and helps the man. Hold on! Samaritans are the other. In fact, they’re among the worse other. They believe different things, worship differently, and don’t do good deeds for people from Jerusalem.
Jesus didn’t seem to care what the Samaritan believed. He focused on what the Samaritan did for the person in need.
In fact, actions dominate this story. The expert’s question was about what he needs to do. Not what he believes. And who is included in his circle? So Jesus tells a story illustrating that beliefs only matter when put into action.
As Christians, we believe Jesus is the Way to eternal life. And that this is all that’s needed for salvation. Hold on! If this is true, and I believe Jesus is the Way, why wasn’t Jesus worried about what the Samaritan in His story believed?
Because, while beliefs matter, without action, beliefs are simply theory at best and likely a sign we’re lying to ourselves and others. To believe in Jesus is to model our lives after Jesus.
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Pastor Tommy
Parts of our series was inspired by Leo Buscaglia. Personhood: The Art of Being Fully Human. NY: Random House,1986.