When someone talks about being a good neighbour or loving your neighbour, we know she is referring to more than just the person living above your apartment.
And we all understand, as the legal expert did in Luke 10:25-37, which of the three men was a neighbour to the man attacked by bandits in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (hint: the Samaritan).
However, being a good neighbour is not easy. Why? Because our perspective is skewed.
Think of all the times you’ve passed a person begging on the sidewalk. Have you ever crossed the road to avoid him or her? Moved over a little bit? Avoided eye-contact? Walked faster? Stopped to chat? Given money?
When the bandits in Jesus’ parable saw the Jewish man walking down the road, they viewed him as someone to exploit and rob. When the priest came upon the injured man, he took him as a problem to avoid. When the temple assistant made his way down the road, he only stopped long enough to gawk before continuing on his way. Only the Samaritan saw the half-dead man for what he was—a person in need of help.
Really think about how you treat the people in your neighbourhood who aren’t easy to love. It’s easy to justify why we don’t love our neighbours but it is never right.
By Robyn Roste
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