THAT'S 'right' NEIGHBOURLY of YOU

 

May 31, 2024

Let us end our week of reflections 

by looking at Jesus' teaching on Neighbouring.

Luke 10:27-30

The man answered, “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.” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

THAT'S 'right' NEIGHBOURLY of YA

Jesus was asked a significant question by a religious leader, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This man was interested in what Jesus had to say about the topic of eternity.

Jesus however, turned the question back to him, “What is written in the law?” The man acknowledged that eternal life is promised to those who love God deeply; those who demonstrate love for God by the way they live, and the way they love others.

But, the man then asks Jesus to define the term “neighbor.”

In response, Jesus proceeded to tell the story of a person who demonstrated real love for God and others. It is the familiar story of The Good Samaritan. (Read Luke 10:30-37)

The essence of the story is that many people who claim to be religious do not truly understand God’s heart. Like the priest and Levite in the parable, they pass by people who are wounded, who have problems and are facing pain, they avoid personal involvement and investment in others lives. Jesus’ parable highlights that while they may give the appearance of spiritual maturity, externally, engaging in the right spiritual activities, they are missing an essential ingredient of heart, love for their neighbor.

The story contrasts the responses of individuals, like the “Expert in the Law”, whose spirituality is primarily self focused with that of a despised Samaritan who had the right kind of response and who understood God’s heart. In the story the Samaritan, took the time to get involved in the process of helping a hurting man. He had a compassionate heart. At his own expense, and sacrificing his own comfort, he made sure the beaten man was cared for and that healing occurred. He demonstrated the real stuff of salvation, a transformed heart that loved God and cared for others.

This parable was Jesus’ way of communicating how the saving love of God affects us. The saving love of God is the kind that works in us and transforms us into caring and compassionate people. Biblical salvation produces a desire to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, AND it causes us to love our neighbors as ourselves.



Lord, would You please deepen my love for my neighborhood, this “place” I call home, and the people in it? Again I’m reminded of Jesus’ example, “The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14). Amen