Who is My Neighbor?


Genesis 25; Genesis 26; Psalm 6; Luke 10



Scripture


The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27 He answered: " '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, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."


Observation

This man wanted to justify himself by asking Jesus who are my “Neighbors”. We think of neighbors as someone living close by, but Jesus put a different spin on the definition by using the story of the “Good Samaritan”. When we help someone that needs our help we are being a “Neighbor” to him or her. Look for the “neighbor” that God is going to bring into your life this week. Maybe it will be a complete stranger, but it may be a family member, or it may just be one of your neighbors that live close by. Touch someone’s life today!


Application

God will place a “neighbor” in our path. Will we take time to help them or will we pass them by.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me see people and touch them like the Good Samaritan did. Give me your heart today for the people around me. Soften my heart today Lord.



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