Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” vss. 36-37
Luke 10:29-37
Jesus subtly expanded the world of the kingdom seeking lawyer with the short story we know as “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” The man had asked, “Who is my neighbor?” But after telling the parable, Jesus asked, “Which of these three was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” It’s a different question and provides a radically different answer. The neighbor is not the poor fellow lying at the side of the road needing assistance. Of course we will help such people. But the neighbor is the Samaritan, a member of the despised and hated race who the Jews avoided with a passion! So, when we’re called to love our neighbors, it isn’t a matter of cozying up to our good buddies down the street. Loving one’s neighbor means reaching out to the people we don’t like very much, maybe even our enemies. It means putting aside our prejudices and embracing those who we despise! Loving God and neighbor is the key to a joyful life in Christ, but it’s not nearly as easy as we think it is. Loving neighbors will pull us out of our secure neighborhoods and into challenging encounters with the very people we try so hard to avoid.
Thought for the Day: To whom do I find it hard to show mercy?
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