The Good Neighbor

“Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise,” Luke 10:36-37, AMP.

Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37

When I worked for DSS (Department of Social Services), I saw many occurrences in the daily lives of other. As we’re all aware, there lies abuse, maltreatment, neglect, as well as abandonment on varying levels. Oftentimes the outer world does not want to get involved with the dealings of private families, but what if it meant the difference between life and death?

Consider the parable Jesus spoke. “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side,” Luke 10:30-32, KJV. How many of us turn the other way, ignoring those in need? We’ve got to show love, and not just say that we have it.

There could be a woman being abused next door, and we know she’s being abused because it’s happened so many times before, but how many speak up? How many pick up the phone and call the police? Or is it that we just “mind our own business?” What if that person was your daughter, your cousin, your sister, your mother, wouldn’t we like for someone to make it their business? And then we read about it in the paper the next day with regret, oh how I wish I had said something sooner. Now is the time. We’ve got to show love, and not just say that we have it.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise,” Luke 10:33-37, KJV.

In this familiar passage of scripture Jesus teaches a very important lesson; one of selflessness, kindness, humbleness, mercy, and most of all love. The Good Neighbor, most commonly known as the Good Samaritan, teaches us of how we should act on a day to day basis. Not just when someone is looking, but at all times. If someone broke into your house and the person across the street saw it, wouldn’t you want them to be a good neighbor to you? To reiterate what Jesus said, let us go and do the same.

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” Luke 10:25-29, KJV.

We are all each other’s neighbors.