Finding Neighbors

Finding Neighbors

Luke 10:36-37, NLT

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Setting the Scene

Upon finishing his story, Jesus came right to the point, asking the expert in religious law to say which of the three men in the story had loved his neighbor. That is, which of the three—the priest, the Temple assistant, or the Samaritan—had kept the law? The legal expert spoke clearly and truthfully when he said, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Jesus responded with a pointed application: “Go and do the same.”

Go and see people as God sees them.

Go and be ready to serve.

Go and show mercy.

Go and be a neighbor.

Getting Personal

As you have considered this familiar story, in what ways have you identified with the man who asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

Putting yourself in that man’s place, in what ways do you think your life would change after hearing Jesus say, “Go and do the same”?

Usually we think of neighbors as those who live next door or at least in the same neighborhood. But through his story, Jesus shows that neighbors are everywhere, even on the side of a road away from our homes and familiar surroundings. We may see them or hear about them from other neighbors. We may learn about them from news reports or missionaries’ stories. Clearly loving our neighbors as we love ourselves means always being ready to serve, to give, to meet needs.

Talking to God

Jesus has met your most desperate need, your need to be reconciled to God. Thank him for his awareness of all your needs, and ask him to grow a godly desire in you to be like him in meeting others’ needs as you become aware of them.