Love your Neighbor

Who is my neighbor?

The story of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25–37 (ESV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

A lawyer asks a question (Luke 10:25-29)

An expert in the Jewish and rabbinical law asks Jesus an important question.

What shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Jesus responds with what is written in the law (God’s Commandments).

Luke 10:27 “And he answered, “You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.””

The law expert knew that all he had to do was live this out, but there was still confusion on what scripture meant when it mentions our neighbors.

Loving our neighbors as we love ourselves does not signify that we must love ourselves before we can love others; it means that in the same way we take care of ourselves and are concerned about our own interests, we should take care and have concern for the interests of others.

The lawyer figured that the first part about loving God was something he had under control, but he expressed some concern about who Jesus was referring too as neighbor.

Interestingly enough many believers think that one can happen without the other. The sad news is that if one does not love their neighbor, they are not fulfilling God’s command (since his word is law not suggestions). If we are not obedient, are we really loving God with every aspect of our being?

1 john 4:20-21 “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

It is a societal norm for people to define their neighbors as those we love and those who are easy to get a long with and love.

During biblical times, the Jewish people believed in loving their neighbors, but they also learned that it was their duty to hate their enemy.

So with that type of mindset, loving your neighbor is a lot easier if one has the freedom to hate their enemies.

Before I continue, let me introduce Ephesians 6:12 into the conversation.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

If one is to believe scripture, then one should be able to determine that our enemies are not found in humanity.

Humans are made up of flesh and blood.

Our enemies are found in spiritual rulers, authorities, powers, and forces.

2. Jesus explains who our neighbors are with a parable.

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves: The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was infamous for crime and robbery. It wasn’t surprising to Jesus’ listeners that He set the story on this particular road.

“That road was famous for its lurking dangers, especially robbers.

“He was an obviously reckless and foolhardy character. People seldom attempted the Jerusalem to Jericho road alone if they were carrying goods or valuables. Seeking safety in numbers, they travelled in convoys or caravans. This man had no one but himself to blame for the plight in which he found himself.” (Barclay)

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road: The priest and the Levite (both categories of religious officials) saw their Jewish brother lying in his terrible condition—but neither of them did anything. They both passed by on the other side.

Priest and Levite are mentioned here, partly because they were the most frequent travellers on this road, and partly to show that these were the persons who, from the nature of their office, were most obliged to perform works of mercy; and from whom a person in distress had a right to expect immediate succour and comfort; and their inhuman conduct here was a flat breach of the law.” (Clarke)

Think of all the excuses that they could have used:

“This road is too dangerous for me to stop and help the man.”

“He might be a decoy for an ambush.”

“I’ve got to get to the temple and perform my service for the Lord.”

“I’ve got to get home and see my family.”

“Someone really should help that man.”

“If I’m going to serve at the temple I can’t get my clothes bloody.”

“I don’t know first aid.”

“It’s a hopeless case.”

“I’m only one person; the job is too big.”

“I can pray for him.”

“He brought it on himself, he should have never been alone on such a dangerous road.”

“He never asked for help”

But all of these are simply excuses. “I never knew a man refuse to help the poor who failed to give at least one admirable excuse.” (Spurgeon)

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion: When Jesus’ listeners heard about the priest and the Levite, they probably expected Jesus to say next that a common Jewish man came and helped. Then this story would be another way Jesus showed the corruption of the religious leaders were in his day. But Jesus shocked them by saying that the man who helped was a Samaritan.

A certain Samaritan: Generally speaking, Jews and Samaritans despised each other both racially and religiously. The culture gave the Samaritan plenty of reasons to hate this Jewish man and pass him by.

Some rabbis taught that a Jew was forbidden to help a Gentile woman who was in distress giving birth; because if they succeeded, all they did was to help one more Gentile come into the world. They often thought that Samaritans were worse than other Gentiles were.

He had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him: Instead of passing by, the Samaritan loved him sacrificially. He didn’t wait to be asked; to see the need right in front of him was enough to make him do something. He also gave freely of both his time and his resources.

The wine, containing alcohol, had an antiseptic effect on the man’s wounds. The oil helped to soothe the wounds, easing the pain. To set him on his own animal meant that the Samaritan himself walked.

He took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper: It seems that two denarii would provide for the man’s needs in the inn for at least two or three weeks.

There are many ways that the Samaritan was like Jesus.

The Samaritan was an outsider, despised by many.

The Samaritan came after others failed to meet the need.

The Samaritan came before it was too late.

The Samaritan came with everything necessary.

The Samaritan came right to the afflicted man.

The Samaritan gave tender care.

The Samaritan provided for future needs.

3. Let’s review how Jesus applies the parable

First he asks, “who of these three individuals was the neighbor?”

In those times, the Priest and the Levite who would have been considered the neighbor of the injured man.

Jesus was not actually inquiring who could have been considered to be this man’s neighbor according to tradition.

Jesus was bringing forth the reality of “to whom he was a neighbor.”

Who showed mercy on him?

The law expert knew who the neighbor was, but it was impossible for him to voice out loud, “the Samaritan was the neighbor.”

It would have been natural for him, as his culture dictated, to see the Samaritan as the enemy.

Though the reality was that only the Samaritan was the actual neighbor who showed mercy on him.

Unfortunately, this kind of love, the love that went beyond the reach of what he considered a neighbor, proved difficult for him.

Jesus tells us to go and do the same.

Jesus allowed the parable to answer the question and guide the application.

I am to love my neighbor, and my neighbor is the one who others might consider my enemy. My neighbor is the one with a need right in front of me.

Spurgeon wrote that “When we see innocent persons suffering as the result of the sin of others our pity should be excited.” He then gave examples of situations that should provoke pity in the believer:

Children sick and starving because of a drunken father

Wives overworked and burdened because of lazy and cruel husbands

Workers oppressed in wages and working conditions, just to survive

Those afflicted from accidents and disease

This doesn’t mean running after every need that might present itself.

As one can see from the story, the Samaritan did not fund a hospital or hotel for travelers down on their luck.

So what the parable is actually saying is that one must concern themselves for those who are before/around us, in both social and spiritual need.

“The world would be a changed place if every Christian attended to the sorrows that are plain before him.” (Maclaren)

4. This is what TC is all about.

If we look at the world around us, it is easy to see how divided humanity has become.

It doesn’t matter if we are alike or on completely opposite sides of the spectrum.

Every time we turn on the tv or look at our phones, one can see how much division their is all around us, even in our local communities.

In other words if one was to gauge how one viewed their neighbors, most likely the majority would appear to not have this kind of love for God or others.

So how can one achieve eternal life?

Remember the original question, “how do I inherit eternal life?”

First, by refusing to inherit eternal life by doing. Instead, believe on Jesus; trust God that Jesus paid the penalty you deserve for every time you have fallen short of loving God or loving others the way you should.

Then, having received eternal life—God’s kind of life in you—God will give you the resources to love Him and other people in a much better way. You can’t do it apart from having His life in you.

“Let it never be forgotten that what the law demands of us the gospel really produces in us.” (Spurgeon)1

Personally speaking, I do not believe what we see on the different avenues of media and information, in regards to how divided we are.

I do believe that this world will continue to attempt to divide us.

But, when one goes out and is face to face with their neighbors, a lot of the times people are loving and caring.

Let us be the change, we want to see in our community and world.

Let us be like Jesus, or dare I say it, like the “Good Samaritan.”