Luke 10:25-37
Who is OUR neighbor? This passage gives is a clear answer to that question.Our neighbor may be totally different from us and many even be an enemy. In this case the needy man’s own people, the priest and the Levite passed by him while the enemy, the Samaritan, stopped to help. Our neighbor may be someone we have no obligation to help. Certainly, the priest and the Levite were duty bound to help their fellow Jew, but they did not. The Samaritan, with no ethnic or religious duty whatsoever, stopped to help. Our neighbor may be someone who poses potential risk or sacrifice to us if we help. The road to Jericho was a dangerous place to stop and help strangers. Our neighbor may be someone who doesn’t deserve our help and certainly cannot be expected to repay us. The Samaritan certainly did not know if he would ever see the money he spent returned.
So then, who is our neighbor? Short answer: everyone. All people, of all types, races, religions and personalities are our neighbors. Jesus has commanded that we love those people as we love ourselves. We are to deal kindly in our encounters with all our neighbors, as the Samaritan did with the wounded Jew. We are to show the kind of love Jesus showed for all humanity on the cross. He died not just for the lovable, but for all.
An extra thought
If Jesus had treated us the way we sometimes treat each other, where would we be?
Truth in Palmyra 
August 12, 2017 at 10:03
Great post, Wally. Yet in these days, we often need to be wary of our neighbors. That doesn’t mean we don’t pray for them.
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August 12, 2017 at 12:21
Hi Kathy, thanks so much for the encouragement as always. I think my response may be more than you bargained for, but you opened the door for something I have on my mind and heart. First, I totally understand that not all of our neighbors have our best interest at heart. Some want to come and wipe us out, some right here at home want to rob us, sell drugs to our children, and much more. I also get that God probably doesn’t want us to be foolhardy idiots and just toss our lives away. Finally, the prayers of warriors such as you are valuable and coveted. God’s Word teaches us this:
To help illustrate my thought, allow me to use two real life examples from my own life if I may. Down the road from me are some folks who are, honestly, not “good people at all.” In fact we would call them “no counts,” in that they don’t count for nothing. In fact, the last interaction I had with an adult from down that way was almost a fist fight in response to this guy’s drunken stupidity on his motorcycle in front of my house. On the other hand, I take a buddy down that way now and then, and we knock on doors, invite folks to church, and share the Gospel. I was actually asked once why, because “Those folks are no good!” Well, that is exactly why. We are all no good, no, not one.
Also in our town is a Pakistani Muslim guy who owns a store. For all I know he could be an ISIS plant here to blow us up. I still like to cruise by now that then and invite him to come visit us, and talk to him about what he believes. I also got asked once why I did that, because “Hey, don’t you know that guy is a Muslim?” Again, that is precisely the why.
Please don’t think I am being disagreeable, because you know I am not. Not all are called to wade into the fracas swinging, and I know that. Some, however, are and they need to. Of course, they should always be backed by the fervent, righteous prayers of folks like you.
Bet that was more than you banked on LOL.
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August 12, 2017 at 21:44
I had a feeling my post might stir up something. I didn’t mean to do so. I know we are not to be judgmental when evangelizing. As you say, some
of us are called for this work and you definitely are one of those. I’m merely suggesting that we need to be on guard at all times for the devil’s influence in the world. We live in perilous times. God is still in control and I know he has already won the victory, but discernment is still important.
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August 13, 2017 at 06:06
Oh, I totally agree; i don’t think we are called to be foolhardy idiots. Prudence is a good idea alway! You didn’t stir, we are just talking. You know we love you.
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August 13, 2017 at 10:30
And I love you as well.
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August 13, 2017 at 11:21
😁
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August 12, 2017 at 11:37
If Yeshua treated me the way I sometimes treat my neighbors, I would be in a peck of trouble. Great reminder to help those neighbors of ours in whatever manner we can.
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August 12, 2017 at 12:22
Indeed, a peck. If not a whole bushel. Thanks, my friend.
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August 13, 2017 at 16:53
Wally, I made the comment recently on Facebook that our neighbor (as the Bible defines it) may even mean refugees who come seeking asylum or wish to become a naturalized citizen and seek a better life in America. The prompt on Facebook was “Should we feed our homeless vets BEFORE refugees?” My response was yes, before, but we should likewise feed the refugees. Our national debt is at such an unbelievable (unconscionable) level that we certainly should be able to do BOTH. Moreover, we should be able to upgrade our entire infrastructure, help get citizens out of the welfare cycle, provide counseling for the mentally ill (veterans and non-veterans), help people break free from the bondage of active addiction, aid middle-class and lower-class citizens gain access to vocational training and college, and improve our healthcare system. So yeah, we’re to reach out to all neighbors, everywhere.
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August 13, 2017 at 19:53
Hi Steve, thanks for the fact that you care so much about humanity. These issues, for our government, are very complex. Fortunately, I am not responsible for what the government does or does not do. I know know God’s Word is crystal clear on my personal responsibilities as a Christian, though. Thanks as always for coming by.
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November 2, 2019 at 11:53
As in NY? I grew up in Palmyra area, even a road with our last name(in country, no biggie). I witnessed people change over time from anti LDS to they’re just people like all of us. Your post is my thoughts I’ve been trying to convey(slight brain damage slows me down). I’ve come down to what I feel speaks best to me. “Am I looking, questioning, feeling compassion to help? Or am I looking for ways to justify it’s ok not to?” I think people really do care about the “Samaritan” but it’s a heavy load feeling you couldn’t help, didn’t see a change. It’s disheartening, even angry. A vital part that is often ignored or undervalued is trying to understand. I know in my marriage I don’t expect him to “fix” what’s wrong but in listening, trying to understand gives compassion greater depth.
What’s left of my mind goes simple. When I “meet my maker” will I be explaining why I didn’t need to care or why I felt unworthy because I couldn’t do more? Where our minds are direct our actions. Sorry, I ramble. Thanks for the read. I’ll be passing it on💕
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November 2, 2019 at 14:17
Actually its Palmyra, Arkansas. Thanks for coming by!
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August 12, 2017 at 08:34
Thanks brother Vincent, and welcome back!
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