Christian Living
WHERE IS MY NEIGHBOR?
This morning as I’m finally cleaning out my inbox, I read an email that was sent to me by a friend on September 3rd (today is September 19th). The message in the email really touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Ironically, on last evening, the Holy Spirit prompted me to get out today and do something for someone I did not know. It’s easy to come to the aid of family and friends while we ignore the needs of our neighbor. When I considered that I had little to give (in the way of money or material things), He reminded me of the interaction between Peter and the crippled man who laid at the gate of the temple called “Beautiful” (Acts 3). Peter gave the cripple a miracle instead of a handout.
As I prepared to search out my neighbor today, again, the Holy Spirit leads me to Luke’s record of a discourse between an attorney and Jesus (Luke 10:25-37). The lawyer stood boldly in the midst of a diverse (believing and unbelieving) crowd and asked, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered the question with a question. [We don’t like that, do we?] “What is written in the law? How do you interpret it?” The attorney’s response - you should love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and you should love your neighbor as yourself – earned Jesus’ approval. But, the attorney desiring to be justified asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Here’s what he was told (paraphrased in part): “A certain man went from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell victim to thieves, who stripped him of his raiment, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest came that way, but when he saw the wounded he passed by the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked down on him, and crossed the street, too. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where the victim lie: and looking on him was moved with compassion for him. The Samaritan bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, before he departed, the Samaritan took out two pence and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever you spend more than I gave, when I come again, I will repay you.” Jesus asked the lawyer, “Which now of these three, do you think, was neighbor to him that fell among thieves?” The lawyer answered, “The one that showed mercy.” Jesus told him – and tells us as well – Go and do the same thing!"
The question to be asked in these troublesome times is not who is my neighbor, but, where is my neighbor? Perhaps your neighbor is in your backyard, at the gas station, the mall, or standing on a street corner. She may even be a long-distance call away. You have an opportunity to demonstrate God’s mercy to a stranger who is your neighbor in the earth. So, as you journey today, be on the lookout for your neighbor, and be the miracle for which he or she has been praying and waiting.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for finding me in my darkest hour and shining your glorious light of hope into my life through your son, Jesus Christ. Today, my prayer is that you would use me to be that light in the life of someone whose hope is obscured by the darkness. Order my steps this day so that I will show up in the right place, at the right time, and that I will have what my neighbor needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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