HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
What does it mean to be a neighbor? In this parable, Jesus illustrates what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself.” While the priest and Levite provide disappointing examples of apathy and disregard, the Samaritan gives us a wonderful example of an act of neighborly love. His act of care and concern for the injured stranger was compassionate, selfless, and sacrificial. Though, as a Samaritan, he would have no doubt been looked down on and despised by the injured Jewish man, he disregarded his own convenience and safety to help one who was in need and, in so doing, demonstrated what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself.” To love our neighbors as ourselves is still a vital concept in living a life that is pleasing to God. I am reminded of the familiar words of Jesus in another passage: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). May we all strive to be a good neighbor to those around us, knowing that it is God’s will for our lives, and that we may someday need a neighbor ourselves.
What are some ways we can be a neighbor to those around us?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
