Who Is My Neighbor?

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Are you familiar with the story Jesus told about the good Samaritan?  You can read it Luke 10:25-37.  Jesus tells of a man, almost certainly a Jewish man, who was on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho.  This was a very dangerous road, and a band of robbers stripped him, beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.  A Jewish priest was going down that road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  A Levite, an assistant to the priests in the Jewish temple, also saw the man and passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, hated by the Jews,  was going down that road, saw the man and felt compassion for him.  He came to the man, bandaged his wounds, put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day the Samaritan gave the innkeeper two denarii (two day’s wages) and gave them to the innkeeper, telling him to take care of the man and offered to repay the cost of any more care when he returned.

Jesus told this story to a religious Jewish leader, an expert in the law of God, who was putting Jesus to the test by asking “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Here is the conversation recorded in Luke 10:25-37:

Jesus: “What is written in the Law?”

Religious expert: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus: “You have answered correctly.  Do this and you will live.”

Religious expert (wanting to justify himself): “But who is my neighbor?”

Jesus was making a statement that is the foundation of salvation.  It isn’t enough to just know God’s Word.  He wants us to do His Word.  James 1:22 tells us “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”  And He wants us to do it from a heart of love for God and love for others.  

We can ask the same question the religious expert asked: “Who is my neighbor?” I wrote the last devotional message about inviting the five neighbor ladies on my street to my home to get to know each other.  We have lived on the same street for several years, but most of us didn’t even know each other! So these women are literally my neighbors.  How could I love them if I don’t even know them?

But Jesus wants us to go beyond just the people in our families and our own neighbors.  The needs all around us and around the world are so great!  It is overwhelming to think of all the people who are suffering! 

What excuses do we have for ignoring the needs of others and “walking by on the other side?”  The need is too great, and I wouldn’t know where to begin.  I’m too busy writing Bible studies and devotional messages to get involved.  It’s so easy to say, “I’ll pray for you.”  But do I honestly commit to praying? It is easy to do like the religious leaders did and just “walk by on the other side” ignoring the needs that are right in front of me. I realize that God wants me to be asking Him each day, “Who is the ‘neighbor’ you want me to love today?” 

I’ve been asking God for a heart of deeper love for Him, and a willingness to follow wherever He leads me.  I believe this conviction about loving my “neighbors” is an answer to that prayer.  As He shows me a particular need that He wants me to respond to, and as I reach out to meet that need, I am loving God! And I can trust Him to provide all I need to meet that need – the compassion, time, energy, resources, His wisdom and love. I want to be open to whoever the Lord shows me as I’m going along my day.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Has the Lord put a specific person or a specific need on your heart that you know He wants you to meet?

Are you willing to ask Him each day for eyes and ears that are open to discover the needs of someone He shows you?

What excuses do you have that might keep you from reaching out to meet a need that He brings to your attention?

I’m reminded of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  He promises to provide whatever we need to accomplish what He asks us to do.