Who Is My Neighbor?

Reading: Luke 10:25-37

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:36-37 (NIV)

I.    Beyond Correct answers

The story of the lost helicopter and Microsoft

      A.  Life is not a Written exam

            1.   Job: If I have to have a test of faith, I’d prefer a written exam.

            2.   The “expert in the law” The guy who was supposed to know what the Bible was about gave a technically correct answer.

                   a.   It’s unfortunate that so many of us believe that what’s really important to God, or in Church is saying the right words, or giving the correct answer to the questions somebody might ask us.

            3.   On an aid call or at a fire scene, it’s important to know the stuff in the book — but it doesn’t mean anything unless we apply it in a timely and effective way.

                   a.   It’s the same with spiritual truths.

      B.  God wants our Love

            1.   The “expert” knew the right answer — God wants us to love Him and each other.

                   a.   That’s what the Bible teaches from beginning to end.

            2.   Laws are external things that guide us to do what’s right. Love is something internal that guides us to do what’s right.

                   a.   That’s why Paul can say in Romans 13:10 — Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

                   b.   Because laws are external they lack the power to change us. God always wants us to become better people.

      C.  “Do this and you will Live”

            1.   Not “get this straight in your head.”

            2.   Do this — put this into practice.

            3.   You will live — Life (with the capital “L”) is about love: love for God and love for the people God puts in our lives.

                   a.   This goes for life everlasting, and also for life here and now.

                   b.   God wants us to love him. God wants us to love each other.

II.   Beat up people All Around

      A.  Some hurt is Visible, Some isn’t

            1.   Sometimes someone’s hurt comes to our attention in an undeniable way.

                   a.   Then we have to decide how we’re going to respond.

            2.   Sometimes someone’s hurt isn’t obvious — we know something’s wrong but we don’t know what.

            3.   Some people never call 911 — never let us know. Maybe because they’re not sure anyone really cares.

      B.  Whoever God brings into our lives

            1.   Every day our lives intersect with dozens of people. Every one of them matter to God.

            2.   Every day we meet ordinary, ornery, messed up, imperfect, belligerent, nice, cranky, inconsistent, heroic, hurting, hypocritical, struggling, trying people. Does the law of love apply to all of them, or just the nice ones?

            3.   God made all of them (and us) and God don’t make no junk.

      C.  What we do for the hurting we do for Jesus

            1.   In an amazing and frightening story in Matthew Jesus tells us how He identifies with people in need. (Matt. 25:34-40)

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

            2.   Helping the hurting is a privilege, and a duty. An obligation and and opportunity.

III.  Being neighbors to the needy

      A.  Ready to help as we’re Able

            1.   The Good Samaritan didn’t put on latex gloves, check his blood pressure or pulse, put him on a back board or use sterile procedures.

            2.   But he did the best he knew how to do.

                   a.   And it probably helped! Oil to soothe, wine to disinfect.

            3.   Even if we aren’t M.D.’s, or trained psychologists, or theologians, we can still help. Do you know what - what’s done in love usually helps, even when it’s done imperfectly. God blesses it!

      B.  A Different question [Not a “Dumb” question!]

            1.   Did you notice how Jesus turned the question upside down?

                   a.   It’s not how do I limit this call to love, by keeping certain people out of my definition of neighbor.

                   b.   This expert in the law was looking for a legal loophole — so do we.

            2.   The question is who am I being a neighbor to the people God brings into my life?

                   a.   Nobody in this room is a perfect neighbor (although fire fighters always make pretty good neighbors!). Nobody has to be.

            3.   The question changes from “Who am I supposed to love?” to “Am I a loving person.”

                   a.   That means Jesus invites us to love each other the way God loves us — not because we deserve it, but because He is a loving God.

                   b.   When God brings someone into our lives, we have an opportunity to express the same kind of love God has for us — let our cup overflow.

      C.  Being a neighbor even to Ourselves

            1.   If people who love to help have any common malady, it’s that they often forget to take care of themselves.

                   a.   On one level it’s heroic to risk one’s health and life for someone else. It’s admirable and these folks deserves our respect and support.

            2.   We have to tend our own wounds too — and sometimes that means calling for mutual aid.

            3.   We are supposed to show love to everyone God brings into our lives — even that person you see in the mirror each day.

The Bottom Line:

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