Love Thy Neighbor

 

       The “Good Samaritan” story is familiar to most of us.  It’s the story of how a Priest, a Levite and a Samaritan passed by a man—a Jew-- who was robbed and beaten by thugs and left to die.  The most likely candidate to take care of the wounded man seems to be the priest.  He is after all, seemingly, a godly man, yet he chooses to walk away.  The Levite, another supposed godly man does the very same thing.  It’s clear they saw him, but chose to not take any action. 

Then a Samaritan came by.  This is significant because in those days Jews and Samaritans were enemies.  They didn’t talk to each other or communicate in any way.  The usual tactic was avoidance.  Yet, this enemy of the Jews, chose to give him aid.  What a great role model!  

Our world is changing in ways most of us would never have imagined.  As “success” is defined by how much material wealth a person can have, we seem bent on climbing the corporate ladder to the highest rung, as quickly as possible, regardless of who we step on during our climb, and even sometimes through, in less than moral ways.  It’s the “way of the world” and totally expected and often accepted!

The political arena has people stepping on their tongues, talking backwards and sideways, with fake news ruling the social media platforms; while going shopping, school, or just standing on the street is reason enough for someone to pull out a weapon and cause all kinds of destruction!

It makes me wonder what happened to the Good Samaritan thought process!  To find someone who will stop to help another [especially a noted enemy] is unheard of --- or so rarely heard of, that if the media hears of it, it’s instant news!  Most of the time,—- it’s ‘how hard do I have to hit you to get you down beneath me?….And oh, while you’re there, I’m gonna give you a good swift kick’!

God didn’t intend His people to be unkind, mean or thoughtless!  God’s world is defined by light, and goodness, kindness and love.  So I encourage you to reflect on who you call “your neighbor.”  Is the person in front of you at the supermarket, “your neighbor?”  Is the homeless person on the corner, the sick and impoverished of your town, “your neighbor?” 

  Can we really “choose” who our neighbor is?  God loves all people, and that is what he wants to see in us, as well---regardless of race, color, creed, religious beliefs, nationality or anything that makes us different! 

    This doesn't mean we have to agree with their political views, or other beliefs.  What we do for them, in any form of kindness, will display our own beliefs, even if they are different from those we are helping.  That's just what happened with the Jew and the Gentile Good Samaritan so many years ago!

    Will you find ways to be kind and helpful this week?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparta_Rock_House#cite_note-leonard-1 

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