Thank you for a positive and worthwhile reminder. The Samaritan in the parable made a difference to the one in need at great expense to himself. Most of our "neighbours" we encounter regularly, which allows us to have a regular impact on them. I believe that it is our consistency in showing (and even making) a difference in the lives of our "neighbours" that can have a lasting impact for good. It is an opportunity to sacrifice our time, thoughtfulness and energy for them that allows our "neighbours" to see the love of Christ displayed, and hopefully be transformed by it.
The Samaritan couldn't have expressed what made him a neighbor unless he placed himself in proximity to the man in need. By crossing the road and engaging the man in his immediate need he showed what God means by being a neighbor. "Doing God's will" and willingness to physically engage cannot be separated as two different acts. They are necessarily one and the same and one can't be done without the other.
By this demonstration of merciful love, the Samaritan becomes the neighbor and, thus, the only one in the story worthy of the victim's love. We should express our love for the one who shows us mercy in the same way. No matter who they are.
I will be your neighbor by doing God's will, although you and I are physically separated. I will be your neighbor by succoring the poor although you are not one of those poor.
Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan specifically in response to the question who is my neighbor, whom am I to love as I love myself. whom am I to value as much as I value my own life.
So, who was the "neighbor" in Jesus' parable? See Luke 10:36-37. It was, obviously, the Samaritan, The Samaritan was not a "neighbor" because he was "physically near" anyone. He was a "neighbor" because he was the one who did God's will.
Many people near us are "neighbors" whom we Christians should love as we love ourselves, but I doubt they are a majority of the people near me.
Thank you for a positive and worthwhile reminder. The Samaritan in the parable made a difference to the one in need at great expense to himself. Most of our "neighbours" we encounter regularly, which allows us to have a regular impact on them. I believe that it is our consistency in showing (and even making) a difference in the lives of our "neighbours" that can have a lasting impact for good. It is an opportunity to sacrifice our time, thoughtfulness and energy for them that allows our "neighbours" to see the love of Christ displayed, and hopefully be transformed by it.
The Samaritan couldn't have expressed what made him a neighbor unless he placed himself in proximity to the man in need. By crossing the road and engaging the man in his immediate need he showed what God means by being a neighbor. "Doing God's will" and willingness to physically engage cannot be separated as two different acts. They are necessarily one and the same and one can't be done without the other.
By this demonstration of merciful love, the Samaritan becomes the neighbor and, thus, the only one in the story worthy of the victim's love. We should express our love for the one who shows us mercy in the same way. No matter who they are.
Won't you be my neighbor?
I will be your neighbor by doing God's will, although you and I are physically separated. I will be your neighbor by succoring the poor although you are not one of those poor.
Perhaps we can finds creative ways to minister to all of our poverty, not just the financial kind.
Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan specifically in response to the question who is my neighbor, whom am I to love as I love myself. whom am I to value as much as I value my own life.
So, who was the "neighbor" in Jesus' parable? See Luke 10:36-37. It was, obviously, the Samaritan, The Samaritan was not a "neighbor" because he was "physically near" anyone. He was a "neighbor" because he was the one who did God's will.
Many people near us are "neighbors" whom we Christians should love as we love ourselves, but I doubt they are a majority of the people near me.