Luke 10:27
“Love your neighbor as
yourself.”
But who is my neighbor?
But who is my neighbor?
Is it the family living next door or the kids across the
street that you play with?
The prevailing opinion in Jesus’ day was that your neighbor
was one you hung out with or had much in common with. In the case of the Pharisees they thought that included only
other Pharisees. But in Luke 10:
30-37 Jesus tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan that totally blows
the top off this narrow definition of a neighbor.
Samaritans were considered an evil people, enemies of God and were generally hated by all. As a result they were not treated well and shown little compassion. Conversely you might say that Samaritans would be justified in smiling upon the misfortunes of those who show them no love. That is, when the Samaritan sees this man beaten and left for dead lying in the ditch it would seem natural for him to say, “this man is not my neighbor and deserves none of my love and compassion. “
If you’ve read the story you know what actually happens though. It says that the Samaritan had compassion and essentially cared for this stranger as he would a close friend or family member. His love even went to the extent of giving up two days wages to pay others to care for the beaten man while he was away. A sacrifice of time, money, and energy.
Wow
Shame on me for restricting who I love and show compassion
to. Shame on me for rejoicing in
the misfortunes of those that have hurt, laughed at, or despised me. We often assume it is up to others
to prove themselves a neighbor to us first. But when Jesus asks,
“So which of these three do you
think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” He is making it clear that each has a
responsibility to be a neighbor – especially to those who are in need, friend
or not, good or evil. We are to
hate evil and sin in ourselves and in others but that does not give us
permission to spitefully loathe the person. Who is my neighbor? Everyone -SH
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