The Art of Neighbouring Part 2Sample

 GO AND DO LIKEWISE 

As Jesus closes out his telling of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, he asks the expert of the law, “Which of these three do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?  To which the expert replied “The one who showed him mercy”.  Jesus then gave the expert a charge.  He said to him, “You go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37) 

“Go and do likewise.”  This is a statement of intent—a statement of action.    
Mercy, by definition, means “compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, pity, or benevolence.”  Reading through the news headlines, it might look as if mercy is in short supply. We see a world filled with ever-increasing violence, fear, anger, and chaos.   We might even wonder if acts of mercy still make any difference.

The Good Samaritan exhibited exceptional mercy when encountering the dying man on the road.  Through the Samaritan's deeds, Jesus presented the expert with an example of mercy in action.  And that same mercy is still in need today.  Mercy always matters.     

Mercy looks like an extra measure of patience, when you are exhausted or have had a bad day.  Mercy is the kind hand of a stranger crossing the boundaries of racial divide offering not only help but also friendship.  Mercy is a purposeful action of forgiveness and understanding.  And mercy is the what the Lord has shown to each of us. 

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Our Savior is the best example of mercy in action.  He ministered to all kinds of people.  He fed the hungry.  He healed the sick.  He loved the unlovable, and He gave His life for each us.   

Father, show us today where we have failed to act with mercy. Forgive us, Lord, where we have been too busy, too pre-occupied, too afraid to respond to the needs of others.  Show us Your heart for those arounds us, our neighbors, and help us to be bearers of Your mercy to a hurting world.