Luke 10: 25-29
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
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 neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
This story has come up for me one way or another quite a few times this past month. I thought it would be nice to share what I've learned. This guy wasn't asking this question to ensure that he served the right people and did the right thing. He asked this question so that he could limit who he served to only his "neighbors."
Jesus saw through this and told a parable that showed that He means anyone in need. Our neighbors are anyone who happens to be around us at a given time. Our neighbors are those who are hurting, those in need, those who are neglected, and those who are oppressed. Our neighbors are not just the people living next door- we live in a world full of neighbors!
Since you're here, check out my other blog. :)
