The Plumb Line and the Samaritan: Measuring Our Faith in Action
A short reflection on Amos 7:7-17 and Luke 10:25-37
In Amos 7:7-17, God holds a plumb line beside the nation of Israel – a simple tool revealing whether a structure stands true or has become dangerously crooked. Amos warns that Israel’s spiritual and social foundations are out of alignment. Leaders have embraced greed, injustice, and empty ritual. No excuses or legal arguments can change the unarguable result: things are either just, or they are not.
Centuries later, Jesus faces a legal expert’s question: What must I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 10:25-37). The man knows the law’s words – love God and neighbour – but seeks a loophole: Who is my neighbour? Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan, cutting through legalism to reveal the heart of true faith. The Samaritan crosses boundaries of race, religion, and danger to act with costly compassion. His actions align perfectly with God’s plumb line.
These passages challenge us to measure both personal lives and society. Today’s crooked walls include growing economic inequality, climate injustice, and the silencing of prophetic voices. Like Amaziah and the priest and Levite, we may be tempted to avoid uncomfortable truths. But God’s plumb line still stands, calling us to embody love in action, not just words.
God’s justice is not theoretical – it demands visible, courageous action in how we treat others and structure our communities.
True faith involves both standing firm like Amos and crossing boundaries like the Samaritan to embody compassionate love.
Ngā mihi
Philip
p.s. Worship leaders: You can buy a complete Order of Service and Sermon based on these readings here: https://philipgarsidebooks.com/products/worship-at-hand-pentecost-5-13-july-2025