Who is your neighbor?

“Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements.” Romans 13:9-10

I love the story found in Luke 10:25-37 when an expert in religious law stands up to test Jesus. He asks him the question, “Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replies, what does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?

The religious leader replies, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “Right do it and you will live.” The man goes on to say so who is my neighbor?

Jesus replies with the story of a Jewish man who was traveling to Jerusalem and got attacked. He was stripped of his clothes, robbed, beat up and left for dead. As this man was lying there a Jewish priest comes by sees him and moves to the other side and goes on. Then came a Temple assistant comes by looks at the man and also goes on by.

Then comes a despised Samaritan man, he saw the Jewish man lying there and felt pity for him. He bent down beside him and began to treat his wounds. He then picked him up put him on his donkey and carried him to an inn. Not only did he tend to him at the inn, but he paid for him to stay there until he was better.

Jesus finishes the story by asking, “Now which of these would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus replied, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

How often have I passed by those who were suffering because I didn’t want to take the time to extend mercy, love, and comfort, be a listening ear, or a shoulder for them to cry on? How often have I passed by those who I have been hurt by and have not shown mercy or love to them?

My heavenly Father has shown and given me more love and mercy than my feeble, mortal mind can comprehend. If I desire to posses the character quality of love, than I must show the same mercy that has been shown to me. And I will say it is so much easier said than done, especially when the “me” is in the way.

Our neighbors are not just those who are ill-ridden, battered, and beat and left for dead. They are not just close friends, or our brothers and sisters. Our neighbors include the lost, our enemies, those less fortunate, and any other human being that walks on the face of the earth. Because each of us have been created in the image of God and we each have been given the opportunity to receive the free gift of mercy and love from the Lord.

Prayer: Lord forgive me for getting so caught up in my own day to day living that I fail to extend mercy and love to those who are in need. Thank You for the mercy and love I receive daily from You. Amen