Isn’t it interesting that often the most learned among us struggle with this simple question… “who is my neighbor?” In Luke, we recall the story of the Good Samaritan as Jesus presented it to the man who was “an expert in Moses’ Teachings.” You may want to go back and read the whole story again, but for this article, I’ll simply quote a few scriptures.
You know, most of us can relate to the story. We rock along through life… thinking we are doing pretty good – spiritually. However, we spend the vast majority of our time with people who are just like us. All around us – near and far – there are other people… people with whom we have little in common… or so we think. Yes, there may be “things” that separate us socioeconomically, but we have more in common than might meet the physical eye. We all:
- are human beings, created by God
- desire simple respect, compassion, and love
- are born lost, in the need of redemption, grace, and forgiveness
- and the list could go on and on
The things that matter the most… the human condition and our need to find Jesus make us all the same. In our lostness, we stand side by side in the need of a Savior. I think you see where I am going with this. In the world today, we usually spend much more time considering what separates us, rather than what brings us together. In the case of these scriptures in Luke, we see a man who should understand the significance of the human condition; but he was focused on his status, education, and self-righteousness instead. He hoped to get a pat on the back from Jesus. He even knew to esteem his neighbor, but his definition of “neighbor” was flawed. He wanted Jesus to affirm that his neighbors were those folks around him who were just like him – his peers. BUT… Jesus blew his preconceived notions out of the water. Jesus told him that his neighbors even lived in that place that he didn’t want to go to… the place that he loathed – Samaria.
So, who is your neighbor? Do they live next door, across town, in a place that you are uncomfortable visiting? In Jesus definition, they are all those that need help, compassion, grace, and salvation.
Wrapping up, you will see a photo gallery below of a celebration day that our Mission Jackson ministry site shared with our neighbors who live in the area around an apartment complex on Hollywood Blvd. here in Jackson, TN. We were blessed to spend an afternoon with everyone there… black folks, white folks, MJ volunteers, a local news reporter, and a few of our city’s finest policemen. The day was a little wet, but everyone shared much more in common than they did acknowledging any differences. There is something beautiful about gathering to share food, fellowship, laughter, and Jesus. He is the glue that can bind us together… amen.
NOTE: the featured image above is of Mary Harris, one of our MJ Volunteers and a sweet child who lives near the ministry site.
