Loving Our Neighbor
In Luke’s gospel, chapter 10, the conversation between a lawyer and Jesus begins with the lawyer asking “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him what the law says. The man quotes from the law saying “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Deut 6:4-5) and “your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18). Jesus then says to the man (and the listening crowd) “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
Instead of responding with thanks or asking more about this standard of loving and its relationship to eternal life, or confessing that it is not possible for him or anyone to obey the Law perfectly, Luke records the underlying intention of the man’s heart, which fuels the question he asks next. In verse 29, “But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”
Jesus’ parable of The Good Samaritan shows what true love for God is as it is demonstrated toward God and toward neighbors God has put around us. Rarely will convenience and ease accompany meeting the needs of our neighbor. The parable lays out the preparation, the risk, the sacrifice that moves us to biblical neighborly love. The word for “compassion” in verse 33, the deep sympathy that the Samaritan felt when seeing the man in need, is Splanchnizomai (splang-khnee-zo-my) and means “from the bowels or inward parts.” This is a feeling of “having the bowels yearn” with sympathy that leads to action. Love that acts.
As we apply this Scripture to our hearts and lives, remember God’s deep love in action He showed us as Romans 5:8 says “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Then humbly, yet boldly, tell the Lord as Isaiah did in Isaiah 6:8 “Here I am. Send me.” Finally, trust God’s Spirit to guide you to a neighbor today. A neighbor is anyone in need who you can be moved to love in action, energized by your all-in love of God and your neighbor.
The Lord will lead you, so begin praying and looking, and prepare to meet needs of others. In Matthew 25, Jesus says that the righteous will ask “When did we see you, Jesus, in need and respond?” And the King will answer them, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
In addition to the neighbors right around us in places where we grocery shop, work, do our yardwork, and recreate, here are other places that you can love your neighbors with the compassion God is stirring in you.
William J. Wood Veterans House near Christ’s Church on Pac Hwy S., 253-941-3820
Federal Way Multi-Service Center, www.mschelps.org
Serving in Jesus’ Name with Samaritan’s Purse, International Relief, samaritanspurse.org/usdr
Senior Living homes throughout Federal Way
Christ’s Church Office for serving opportunities, 253-941-2711
Pastor Steve
42: Who has God called to lead His church? God has called qualified men (elders, pastors, and overseers) under Christ’s leadership to direct the ministry of the church, shepherd God’s people, teach sound doctrine, protect the church from false teaching, equip the saints to do the work of ministry, and to pray for the sick (1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pet. 5:1–2; Titus 1:9–11; Eph. 4:11–13; Jas. 5:14–16).