So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:36-37
Luke 10:36-37
A lawyer had asked Jesus a question to test Him but the Lord turned it into a test for the lawyer. The lawyer asked Jesus how to be saved. Jesus asked him for his interpretation of the law. The man answered correctly and Jesus confirmed his interpretation followed it with an admonition to practice it for salvation. The man had no problem with the abstract concept of loving God but struggled with the practical loving of his neighbor. “Who is my neighbor,” he questioned Jesus to avoid the responsibility of deciding which people were his neighbors, which would make them candidates for his love. Jesus’ response required him to change his perspective from evaluating his neighbors to evaluating himself.
Jesus wanted him to think about the kind of neighbor he was instead of trying to minimize his responsibility. Jesus’ parable clarified the lawyer’s values forcing him to face who he was. Focusing on the faults of others is just a way to excuse ourselves from helping them. Our compassionate aid for others in the face of real needs is the scale that determines our success as neighbors. Understanding the scripture isn’t enough. We have to act on our compassion.
The Good Samaritan didn’t know how his neighbor fell among thieves. He didn’t question the wisdom of traveling a known dangerous road or the company kept. This good neighbor met his neighbor’s real needs. This is the point Jesus made in his parable. We aren’t to ask, “Who is my neighbor?” We should ask, “Who is my neighbor’s neighbor?”
Showing His Mercy,
Pastor Jason
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