“WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?”
We often think of our neighbors as the people who live around us, next door to us. And that is as far as it goes. We may or may not know their name, their kids if they have any, a little or no information about them. But it certainly doesn’t mean we have to be involved in their lives or theirs in ours unless we want them to be. Does it? We can keep them at a distance. We have no obligation to them. We can live near them and never know anything about them. Maybe an odd wave to them from a distance when we see them. But Jesus gives a whole different take on “ Who is my neighbor” in this story.
Consider with me …
ADVERSITY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVEAL TRUE LOVE.
– ( Read Luke 10:25-37)
“…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”-(Luke 10:29-37)
There were three who had the opportunity to care for the beaten up man lying on the side of the road. Two walked by. Not just any two, they were learned men in the Word of God. Another One who was despised because he was a Samaritan and not like one of them, walked towards the beaten up man…and stoped and stooped and took care of the beaten up man- he loved him- he was a friend to him in his adversity!
He showed him love, not based on what the beaten up man could do for him but what he could do for him! He demonstrated true love!
He could have said it’s not my business but he made it his business!
Adversity revealed the hearts of the three men who saw the man on the side of the road beaten up!
The person- a Samaritan who was DESPISED in that society Jesus uses in His story to DEMONSTRATE to them – and you and me of what love looks like, how LOVE BEHAVES!
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW BUT WHAT YOU SHOW!
EITHER, LOVE OR LOVELESSNESS!
Only one extended love!
Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”-(Luke 10:37)
Adversity reveals what we truly believe and revealed in how we treat those in need!
It’s not what we know but what we show!
You may ask yourself, “Who Is My Neighbor?” And Jesus answers you from this story. It’s the one you come across who is in need! AND WHAT IS TO BE MY RESPONSE? To Love Them. And How is love expressed? Meet them in their need. He didn’t say pray for them, ( though we are to pray about everything -Phil 4:6); call a meeting, but meet their need as you have ability. The man’s need was immediate. Meet the need. It is a choice to love!
If Jesus injected you or my name into the story which one would we be like? The priest, the Levite or the Samaritan?
Another’s need is an opportunity to express love!
Love is as simple as meeting a need!
It’s Not What You Know but what You Do!
Love well today.
Jesus teaches the Lawyer and all of us to follow the example of “The Good Samaritan”- the way of love.
“Go do likewise!”
God bless
Aidan