Neighbors. They sure can bring out the best, or the worst, in any of us. They can be difficult to get along with or a delight to see each day.

We often define neighbor as those living on each side of our own home, or at the very least, in close proximity.

Jesus, in talking with a religious expert, shares a parable of a Jewish man beaten and robbed while traveling. Stripped of his clothes and wounded, he is left on the side of the road, half dead.

A priest, traveling the same road, crosses to the other side to pass by the man. A Levite does the same when he sees the man.

But a third man, a Samaritan, took pity on this man. He went to him, bandaged his wounds using oil and wine, and put him on his donkey. He brought him to an inn, where he continued to take care of him. Having to resume his own travels, he leaves money and asks the innkeeper to look after him.

Upon finishing His story, Jesus asks:

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” (Luke 10:36, NLT)

Jews and Samaritans hated each other. No Jew would ever have expected to receive help from a Samaritan; and probably no Samaritan ever thought he would help a Jew who was wounded. The feelings were mutual.

Yet in this story, Jesus blows the lid off the meaning of “neighbor”. It no longer is defined by where one lives or by kindred nationality.

“In God’s Kingdom, a despised foreigner become a helping neighbor.”
(The NLT Study Bible)

To be a neighbor is now defined as one showing kindness or helpfulness to those around him, regardless of who that may be.

Being neighborly is now prompted by mercy.

Mercy —> from the Greek word ‘eleos’ means “gracious compassion or kindness for someone in need. Mercy is different from kindness … while kindness can be to anyone, mercy is for those in need.” (New Testament Lexical Aids, The Key Word Bible)

Mercy is extended to anyone in need. Mercy is not confined nor determined by race or nationality or family.

Mercy changes us. Once the recipient of mercy, may we impart mercy to those around us. May we not forget the mercy given us.

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT)

May this become more than a story to us.
May we be a merciful people
because mercy came running to us.

Let’s be good neighbors!

https://youtu.be/fQDPOJxjy_o

This is Day 20 of 31 Questions Jesus Asked. You can find the entire series here.

Today I am joining … Intentional Tuesday and True Story and Testimony Tuesday and #RaRaLinkup and Unite and Reflect .