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Who's My Neighbor?

By S. George Thomas 

One day, a lawyer came to Jesus asking, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responded, “What is written in the law?” Without hesitation, the lawyer rattled off: “Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Jesus told him he should go and do exactly that, but the lawyer wanted clarification. “And who is my neighbor?” he asked. In other words, he said: Tell me who I have to love and who I don’t have to love. Who do I have to accept, and who can I reject?

Instead of answering directly, Jesus told a story about a man who set out on a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho. But it was much more than just a story. Everyone listening to Jesus that day knew the road wasn’t one you wanted to take after dark, because it was notorious for bandits. Sure enough, the man was attacked by robbers and thrown into a ditch to die. Eventually, a priest came riding by, but he angled across to the other side of the road to avoid him. The priest was followed by a Levite—another spiritual leader—who hurried by as quickly as possible.

Then Jesus introduced a Samaritan as the hero of the story. It was revolutionary because the Jews despised Samaritans. But when this Samaritan came upon the wounded man, he was moved with compassion. He cleaned the man’s wounds, placed him on his own donkey, and took him to an inn and paid for it.

Jesus asked the lawyer, “Who do you think was a neighbor to the man who was beaten?” The lawyer couldn’t even bring himself to say, “The Samaritan.” Instead, he mumbled, “The guy who showed mercy.” “That’s right,” Jesus replied. “Now go and do the same.” So what’s the difference between the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan? It all comes down to compassion. When he saw the wounded man, the Samaritan didn’t say that the man “should have known better.” No, he picked him up and brought him to a place of healing.

Ask yourself today, “Who’s my neighbor?” It’s those who’ve been robbed by the bandits of the world—fear, despair, grief, pain, poverty, disease, hate, hopelessness, misery—then left for dead. Everyone has experienced this at some point. No one is exempt. Do we keep our distance? Or will we allow our hearts to be moved with compassion?

Ask God to soften your heart to those around you—toward your neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers. Ask Him to stir up a love and compassion within you for them and their needs. Ask Him to give you the courage and wisdom to walk with them and offer them hope and life.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be compassionate toward others every day. Soften my heart to people hurting around me so I can show them Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Proverbs 4:23–26 (NLT)