Am I Proven to be a Neighbor
Am I Proven to be a Neighbor
We jump into the end of the story we typically call “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”. We talked yesterday about our relationship with God and how he asked us to deny and pick up. But what are we to do with the people around us? An expert in the law had the same kinda question after Jesus confirmed that the two greatest commandments are, ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.“ (Luke 10:27 HCSB) He asked, “Who is my neighbor?” some of us live in houses where our neighbors share a wall with our apartment. Some of us live in houses where our neighbors are a mile away. But these are not the kinda of neighbors Jesus is asking about. Jesus is asking us to be willing to act neighborly with all those we come in contact with not just our friends.
The Expert of the law was faced with three options, the Priest, the Scribe, or the Samaritan. This would translate to our Pastor, The secretary at our church, or the obnoxious fan of the rival football team. If we were to fall into a gang of thugs would we see the rival fan differently if they came to help us? Would we see our pastor and secretary differently if they did not stop to help us? Of course we would. So then let us be the individuals who would stop and be the good Samaritan in all situations we find ourselves in. Let us be good neighbors to all around us.
”If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; make sure you return it to your brother. If your brother does not live near you or you don’t know him, you are to bring the animal to your home to remain with you until your brother comes looking for it; then you can return it to him. Do the same for his donkey, his garment, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen down on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.“
Deuteronomy 22:1-4 HCSB
”If you come across your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. “If you see the donkey of someone who hates you lying helpless under its load, and you want to refrain from helping it, you must help with it.“
Exodus 23:4-5 HCSB
”Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.“
Comments
Post a Comment