Teacher, who is my neighbor?…
. The Samaritan man cared for the body and life of the victim before he ever had time to share his faith. In fact, we have no evidence that he was a believer or worshiper of Yehovah, God of Israel, other than the compassion and unconditional mercy he displayed.
. If we see a picture of God’s character here, in the actions of the Samaritan man, we can focus only on what he did for the hurting and broken human being he found on the roadside. This passerby may not have demonstrated any divine power as we recognize from accounts of Jesus or the Apostles, rather he acted within his means and cared for someone in need.
. Jesus used this man's deeds as an example of how we are to love those we come across, those we see that may be broken and battered… the Samaritan man exemplified the acts of a Good Neighbor, and there was no emphasis on evangelism having to be the first and/or the only step.
. I’m not discounting the need for evangelism and ultimately salvation in any way, rather our approach in particular situations, or more so our prerequisites that we place on when or how we should Act.
. Acts of compassion and mercy start with the desire to save and support life. It’s a body and soul package. Do we put the same emphasis on their health and quality of life, as we do ‘saving their soul’? Do we desire the same health and wellbeing for people here on earth, as we tell them they will receive when they step through the pearly gates into the Kingdom we liaison for?
. Too often I feel like we believers, followers of Christ, can miss a great deal of the entire greater picture, and it shows in our lack of unconditional generosity to those in need; our “Alms” as Jesus called them.
. Do we feed the starving man on the side of the road? Do we clothe the naked stranger? Do we bind the wounds and care for the battered victim? If not literally, your funds or Alms can do that in your place, and there is a great blessing there as well. Translating your hard work, labor, the part of your life you sacrifice to pay for comfort in this world, into tools of mercy and compassion.
. The best part of this parable, is that the good neighbor didn’t stop there at the immediate needs, he actually moved his level of grace from the present on into the future. This Good Neighbor was so concerned for the life of the stranger that he sacrificed more of his own, in the form of his wages, to guarantee payment for the healing treatment and care for this victim even after he had gone away. This is the part of this story where Jesus was painting a picture of what He was about to do.
. Jesus was going to pay in advance for all the victims of this fallen world, then, now , and beyond.
. The Good Neighbor…His heart is broken for the brokenness of humanity. He demonstrates the sense of urgency and unconditional gratis that we should possess when the need comes into our field of vision, and that vision sees past all great excuses and reasons not to act.
. This was religious and relational being weighed against each other on the scales of justice. Two times Jesus tells us that religiosity failed, but intentionality proved itself.
. We have to demand that our beliefs bring a change to our lives, and in turn will change the lives of others. If we seek a true religion, yet never challenge ourselves in action and/or our alms, what do we truly desire our piety be upraised at? Faith without deeds is dead Paul said…
I don’t want to be dead, I want to be a man of action.
. The evangelism of Jesus was both for body and soul, as he was both fully man, and fully God. He didn’t just bring salvation to those in need, He healed them. He didn’t just forgive sins, He warned them about sinning again, and the perils it would likewise bring. He didn’t just tell them of Heaven, but taught them about a better way to live here on this earth.
. In this definition, Jesus described in detail the actions of someone more concerned with the life of another, than their own. It wasn’t the pious Priest, or the chosen Levite, but it was the less than common man. The Samaritan, a man of no reputation seemingly, who became a man of divine accolades. Why? Because his actions more perfectly demonstrated the character of compassion, mercy, justice, and conviction. He didn’t lack the courage of his convictions, he simply and inexplicably moved to the same side of the road where need resided.
. The Good Neighbor doesn’t merely identify problems, or preach about solutions, rather He sacrifices himself to become the agent of healing and recovery. He supports and upholds life as the utmost priority.
. The Good Neighbor loves his neighbor. Love sacrifices itself, and so it is that he is compelled to do so.
. When Jesus tells us to “take up your cross, and follow me”, it is the same as Him saying lay down your nets, and “come, follow Me”…both require a change in priorities, and a sacrifice of our own will. At His most challenging hour, Jesus Hiself confessed, “not my will [Father], but yours be done.”
. This Good Neighbor [Jesus] walked out His own instructions, crossed over to our side of the road, and gave His life for us, His beaten, bruised, and battered neighbors in need.
I don’t want my will, I want to be this Good Neighbor.
