LUKE 10:25-37
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?”27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 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.31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, his heart went out to him.34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”
Luke 10:25-37 LOVING OUR NEIGHBOURS
Springford Baptist Church: July 2, 2023.
CANADA DAY WEEKEND
On this Canada day weekend we ask the question, “How have we been the neighbours that Jesus wants us to be this past week”?
We will need to remember together today that: “Scripture was not given to us merely to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”
Jesus did not tell this story to entertain, but to give a practical demonstration of who are our neighbours and what it means to love our neighbours.
When the expert in the law gets the correct answer to Jesus’ question at the conclusion of this story, that is not the end. Not at all. Jesus asks the question, “Which of these three was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers.” (Luke 10:36) The answer is obvious isn’t it?
We read, “The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
It does not end there. Hear Jesus’ reply to this correct answer, “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10:37)
If we are going to “Go and do the same”, then we must take time to know our neighbours, people around us.
There is of course a distinct difference between being a nosey neighbour and a loving neighbour.
We can recognize the difference easily.
A nosey neighbour is curious about what is going on in someone else’s life but does not really care about that person or have any intention of giving time and resources to express kindness to that person or family.
It is more a matter of gathering information and perhaps even passing it along as gossip.
A loving neighbour by contrast is careful with what is learned about another’s situation and particular need, careful to respect confidentiality where appropriate and not likely to discuss the situation with others. A loving neighbour does not avoid (walking on the other side of the street) but simply considers how help may be extended and responds directly not waiting for someone else to take action.
This sort of loving and practical response is motivated by love for God. When we are in a loving relationship with God-grateful for how much He loves us and loving Him back with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind then love for neighbours, for our communities should be a natural outcome.
And what is community? Well, it is made up of individuals. And if we are going to care about our community and the well being of our community then we must know people and be part of the community.
In many ways our society has become quite independent of each other. During the pandemic when we were very isolated from each other, some people grew even more separated from their neighbours. It seems that neighbours do not tend to rely on each other the way they used to. Sometimes these days there may have been a crisis, an illness, or a death in a family and others nearby may not even know.
So, if extending ourselves to our community, to our neighbours, takes effort then what barriers to being the neighbours that Jesus wants us to be do we need to confront?
Busyness-This involves being extremely busy with our own family and close friends and trying to get our own things taken care of and as a result, reluctant to take time for others. We may feel that with limited energy we cannot be available for one more person. We will know that it is getting harder and harder to get people to volunteer in the community in various capacities.
Likewise, if we are very busy with church activities but don’t have a presence in our community then how can we be loving our neighbours? If we are “too busy” to love our neighbours, then we are too busy.
Privacy- As already indicated, we do want to respect people’s privacy and do not want to intrude. However, if everything remains private then how will we know how to love our neighbours. When we get to know someone then trust can be established and we will be able to respect the way that a person feels and best respond. Each person is different and we should not assume how a person feels, but rather take time to know.
Balanced Relationship- This means being involved in a neighbour’s life in the happy times as well as the sad. If we only talk or spend time when there is something wrong, we have not built a balanced and healthy relationship. We should be able to pray expressing gratitude to God for good things that are happening with another persons and then bring to God the challenges and struggles that arise.
Differences- Differences can certainly be a barrier to loving our neighbours. One of the reasons that this story that Jesus tells is so compelling is because of the long standing distrust and hatred between Jews and Samaritans. The last person that would be expected to extend care and compassion to a Jew was a Samaritan. Now ask yourself, “Who is the last person I could see myself being a neighbour to”? Why? What about you is different? What pushes you apart instead of drawing you together? Do you have different lifestyles, different beliefs…? Do you find yourself judging this person?
Jesus is not promising that it will be easy to be a neighbour the way He defines neighbour.
Notice that it cost the Samaritan to be a loving and compassionate neighbour.
It cost him time (interrupted schedule).
It cost him reputation (people would have been appalled at how he could associate with a Jew).
It cost him money (providing funds for the victim’s care).
It cost him ongoing commitment (he would pay more if required).
Now I want us to realize that the good thing about being church together, being a faith community is that we are not alone in this!
We are not alone in this because of God. Certainly, God guides us and gives us the ability to be the neighbours He wants us to be. He places the capacity for compassion and kindness (love) in our hearts because we belong to Him. This compassion is there to draw on when we need it.
We are not alone in this because of each other. We share the same responsibility and calling to be neighbours. Sometimes we can find ways to love and support people together and not feel like we have to operate solo. This can help to deal with uncertainty or reluctance when we are unsure how or when to respond. This can also help deal with the barrier of busyness and having limited energy. It will not just be me being a neighbour and caring for and praying for my community, but it will be shared.
There are endless opportunities to be neighbours in our communities and to share God’s love in meaningful ways. Let me suggest a process:
Begin with prayer. Pray thanking God for His immense love for you and reflect on your deep love for God.
Ask God to give you eyes to see and ears to hear so that you will know people in your community and understand how you can best be a neighbour to them.
Pray that God will fill your heart with real love and care for that person or family.
Consider whether this is something for you to take on personally or in cooperation with others.
Proceed carefully and give space for someone to let you know how to help rather than assuming and pushing in.
Appreciate the chance for a building of relationship.
Recognize whether this is for a limited time or longer term.
Receive strength from God to do and be who He intends in this situation.
Evaluate how things are going and consider changes you may need to make.
Pray and thank God that He has equipped and chosen You to be a neighbour and to share His love.
Keep alert for other opportunities God will arrange (not, “There now I’ve done my part.”)
Praying for our communities and knowing people as individuals and building relationship with them and reaching out in meaningful ways, must all be bathed in love. If we don’t have love, it means nothing and nothing is gained. The hope for the future of any healthy community is tied to neighbours being neighbours and we as the church, followers of Jesus, must be at the centre of this.
If we are wanting to grow in becoming more like Jesus, then we will sincerely be asking the question, “What would Jesus do and we will sincerely be willing to live out the answer in loving our neighbours!
Prayer: God we want to love you with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind and we want to love our communities, our neighbours as ourselves. Please help us!!