Who Is My Neighbor?

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But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29

Jesus has told us to “Love our neighbor as yourself” but who is our neighbor? When we think of the word “neighbor” we think of people who live closely to us or maybe people we know. But this is not the true Biblical meaning of “Neighbor”. One man asked Jesus this question and here was his reply

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:30-33

A few things to notice in this story, first the man that was attacked wasn’t identified by race or stature. Meaning we should help everyone in need, not just our family or friends. Second a priest ignored the victim. This shows you God is not impressed by the man’s religious knowledge but by his human reaction to other people. Third a Samaritan took pity on the man and saved him. During that time Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans as they viewed them below them. However, God noticed the Samaritans good deed.

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37

So who is your neighbor? It’s everyone, no matter what race or stature , we are all one through Jesus Christ. So we must strive to not only take care of our own family, but to everyone who is in need in Jesus Name Amen

8 thoughts on “Who Is My Neighbor?”

  2. Keith A. Wadley

    “We are all one through Jesus Christ” is a statement about believers, correct? Or are you talking more about humans in general, as in – we are all humans because Jesus created us?

    I am a huge fan of calling out relationship building as the primary aim of every Christian. We were made for relationship (it is not good for man to be alone according to God). We were made for relationship with God and relationship with each other. But is there precedence for another way of thinking mixed in there? Don’t most of us think in terms of nationalism – the U.S. verses terrorist? verses drug lords in 3rd world countries? verses corrupt foreign regimes like Russia (or so we are told they are evil and bad, but are they really any worse than our own)? Biblically aren’t these people our neighbors? What should our response be to these situations? It is not the story of the good Samaritan, nor should it be. Jesus was talking to individuals about their daily interactions with other individuals, not nation states with other nation states. If our leaders practiced the parable of neighborly love then what would that do for foreign diplomacy?
    Keith

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