Just Being Neighborly

An expert doesn’t usually get where he or she is at by accident. They diligently study and develop their skill sometimes because they have a passion for their area of interest and sometimes just to be better than everyone else at what they do or know. One such person approached Jesus with a question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25 Obviously this person is a Pharisee because he believes in eternal life. In fact, if we look at Matthew 22, we see that Jesus had just silenced the Sadducees by his wise answer when they tried to convince him that there would be no resurrection. So it is likely that this Pharisee was trying to get Jesus to prove once and for all that the Pharisees are right on the argument of whether or not there is a resurrection.

Jesus in his wisdom doesn’t give the man an answer but rather asks this expert to quote the Law and then interpret it. The Pharisee 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.” Luke 10:27 And Jesus replied, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:28

This Pharisee had the head knowledge of God’s Law and he even had it connected to eternal life. But his next question shows that he is not an expert at taking that knowledge to his hands and feet. “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29 This is an interesting question because the man obviously knew the law – he was an expert – and Leviticus 19:13-18 is a very specific list about how to treat a neighbor. In fact, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is a direct quote from Leviticus 19:18. It appears that this expert in the law may have also been an expert at figuring out how to make some people ‘not his neighbor’ when it suited him.

Again, Jesus in his wisdom responded by using a story that we know as the “Good Samaritan”. It is a story of a man who became a victim of robbers who beat him and left him for dead. Three different persons happened upon him – a priest, a Levite, and finally a Samaritan. In all fairness to the priest and Levite who walked by on the other side of the road, they were not to be around dead people – it made them unclean and they needed to stay clean to perform their duties. In this case, they apparently assumed the man was dead and were avoiding contact. They were following the part of the law that was more convenient for them at the time – keeping themselves holy. The Samaritan, however, was full of compassion and went to the side of the injured man and began to bind his wounds. Not only that, but he placed him on his donkey and took him to an inn and paid to have them care for him until he got better. Then Jesus asks the expert the question, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Luke 10:36. And the expert in the law responded, “The one who had mercy on him.” Luke 10:37. And Jesus tells the expert to “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37

I wonder how often I have walked by a suffering person and have been too focused on my ministry to extend mercy. How many times have I said, “I’ll pray for you,” and went on my way when what they needed was for me to pray with them right then? How many times have I been too busy with my ministry to take the time to help or encourage a fellow traveler?

So much of Jesus’ healing and encouragement to others happened ‘on the way’ to something else. His compassion took precedence over his agenda or plan for the day. Matthew 14:14 tells us that even after John the Baptist was killed and Jesus wanted to be alone for a while, when the crowds found him, he had compassion on them and responded to their needs.

It is too easy to rationalize our way out of helping another. Jesus does not accept that as our best effort. He wants us to learn to ask the question, “What would I want the other to do if I were in their situation?” And he doesn’t want us to rationalize why we can’t help them. I don’t think he wants us to fix everything wrong everywhere in the world. That assignment is too big for one human being. But he wants us to notice when we walk by someone that is in need. He wants us to stop and help before we go on our way. And just maybe, our taking the time to do that will bring another traveler face to face with Jesus and give them the option of eternal life as well.