WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

By Jay Pearson

 

This question of "Who is my neighbor?" has been rolling around in my head now for a few weeks. Are my neighbors only the ones that live in my neighborhood? Maybe they are those who go to my church or maybe those who think like me. The dictionary did not do it for me. I needed a godly definition. I decided to seek the Lord for the answer. I was reminded of the certain lawyer in the Luke who wanted to tempt the Lord. He ask the Lord, What must I do to inherit eternal life? The Lord ask him a couple of questions.

Luke 10:26-27
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Jesus said, "Right answer. Do it and live." But the man willing to justify himself ask another question.

Luke 10:28-29
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Jesus answered with a parable we commonly refer to as the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10:30-31
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

This was only a certain man, only a man in general. A certain priest not a special one but keep in mind a priest was to serve the people of God as God’s representative. They are to serve God’s will in word and deed. The parable continues.

Luke 10:32
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

Then a certain Levite passed by. A Levite was ordained of God to serve. He was chosen by God to serve God’s will in word and deed. Now a Samaritan come along. Not necessarily a devote or holy man, just a certain Samaritan.

Luke 10:33-35
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Now Jesus asked the lawyer another question and issued his instruction.

Luke 10:36-37
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The one who showed mercy and the one who received mercy were neighbors. Not that they lived next door or attended his church or were of the same nationality. The showing of mercy united them as neighbors. The Lord has issued us instructions also.

Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Matthew 5:43-44
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

The Lord has "raised the bar" on doing unto others. When you look at the person in the check-out line next to you, think about some of these verses. I’m preaching to myself here also. When you see the guy in front of you cutting you off in traffic remember you never know what’s on his or her mind. I have raced through traffic frantically getting my granddaughter to the emergency room after she had respiratory failure while in my care. I’m sure I looked just like one of them. Even if they are your arch-enemy, give them a break. Remember who your neighbor is. Have mercy on God’s created beings. Jesus said in John 15:12 that we are to love as he loved us. God bless you and me as we minister mercy to our neighbors.

 

Click HERE for Jay's new song "HERE ON THE STREET"

 

 

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Presented August 11, 2019 in French Settlement, Louisiana