Who Is Your Neighbor?

Commentary

Some English translations use the word lawyer. It’s not a lawyer in the sense of secular law, but this man was an expert in the Law of Moses. Anyone who was an expert in the Law of Moses should rightly answer Jesus.

The commandment to love God with all your being is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, and the commandment to love your neighbor is found in Leviticus 19:18. Understand that in order to love those around you, you must love God first.

This isn’t just loving those who love you back, or loving your family, friends, or people you agree with. This is also loving those whom despise you, those lost in incredible sin, and those who you do not agree with.

We’re in a climate now where people are very divided into many factions, nationally, religiously, politically, socially, and economically. There is vitriol that penetrates deep into each faction, against their rivals. Something we, as followers of Jesus, must not get wrapped up into.

Commentary

Jesus begins this parable with a presumably Jewish man being violently attacked and left for dead on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho. A scenario that is not unlikely today. As Jesus taught, the love of many would grow cold in the last days, and we’re certainly witnessing that.

This man of the Law tried to justify himself with his second question. He may have had in mind people whom he felt justified not to help, so he needed Jesus to define who his neighbor was.

Now, use this to paint a similar scenario in your mind of someone who you may pass by in need of help. Would you consider them your neighbor, even if you were in another city or country? Do you think you would help them?

Consider who this person might be. Are they a follower of Jesus? Do they have green hair? Are they struggling with obvious outward sin? Do they share the same political beliefs as you? Does any of that matter in their time of need?

Think about how you’d respond in a situation like this. Do you need to justify how you’d act, or is it in line with what Jesus teaches? We’ll see the examples that Jesus gives later on.

Commentary

Here we have two devout religious types represented. Many people would certainly look to them as examples for how to live holy. Yet they did not bother to help this man.

It could be because they were priests. A good priest rightly adhered to the commands of the Law, which instructed priests not to touch unclean things. This man, being near death, would have likely been viewed as unclean. These men may be examples of those who adhere strongly to their convictions, so strongly that they forget about love.

Consider Jesus healing people on the Sabbath. He showed an example of elevating the need for loving others over a rigid adherence to resting on the Sabbath. Because in reality, those who truly love God and love others as themselves are living out God’s Moral Law, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:36-40.

Helping this “neighbor” would’ve been more valuable in demonstrating their genuine faith than trying to walk in perfection. We must not let our convictions turn into coldness, crowding out love toward those around us.

Commentary

The Samaritan was not highly looked upon by the Jews. They were considered half-breeds, due to the invasion of Assyria into the Northern Kingdom, resulting in the intermarrying between Israelites and Assyrians over time.

So it would’ve been understood by those listening to Jesus that if this Samaritan man had also walked by, they’d have considered him justified because of how poorly they were looked upon.

But Jesus uses this in His parable to demonstrate what neighborly love truly is. This man of a different background did not consider who this injured man was (a Jew), who would’ve likely persecuted him; nor did he show concern for what he believed or if he was a terrible sinner. Instead, he saw his humanity and didn’t think twice about helping him.

Not only did he help him, but he truly loved him as he loved himself, spending two days’ worth of wages on him and more. He also placed him on his personal animal, ensuring he was safely transported to a place where he could rest and heal.

Commentary

Jesus once again asked this man of the Law what he thought was the correct handling. Again, he rightly answered. Because God’s Word always teaches such behavior. Even in the midst of all the 613 laws during the Age of Torah, God’s love and mercy were always present and taught. That has not changed in this Age of Grace, with love and mercy displayed even greater through Christ.

As we reflect on this parable. Understand that every person you encounter in life is your neighbor. Now, take time to consider your own heart. Have you been swept up into the cultural norms of “us against them”? Have you placed personal convictions above mercy and love?

Again, I remind you that we are never to condone or participate in someone’s sin. If we truly love those around us, we’re to gently and lovingly tell them that their sin will kill them and without Jesus, they will perish in eternal torment. But we cannot let their sins, their political beliefs, or any differences we may have with them override God’s command to us to love them as we do ourselves.

We don’t need to wait to cross paths with someone in dire physical need; we should understand that anyone without Jesus is in desperate spiritual need right now, apart from any physical need. Time is growing shorter and shorter. It’s time we be on fire about sharing Jesus with people.