CrossTalk: Who Is My Neighbor

Jesus teaches us to, “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31). So do the apostles (Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14 and James 2:8). But this rule did not just begin with Jesus. It was taught by Moses (Leviticus 19:18) and was well known 1500 years before Christ. In fact, one of the clearest statements of this rule came, not from Jesus, but from an expert in the law of Moses as recorded in Luke 10:25-27.

This simple sentence includes everybody and excludes nobody. In fact, it is so overwhelmingly impossible that the law expert asks Jesus a follow-up question: “and who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). This question prompted Jesus to tell the familiar story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35). A certain man was mugged and left for dead. Two religious authorities traveling that way saw him but did nothing. Only a Samaritan (an enemy) stopped to help him, binding his wounds, taking him to an inn and providing for his convalescence.

Clearly the religious authorities were wrong to do nothing. They should have counted the victim as their neighbor and helped him. This point is so obvious that it has been written into our own legal framework for centuries. We have a whole class of laws termed “Good Samaritan” laws based on this parable. You might think that this is the whole point of Jesus’ story. But Jesus takes it in a different direction. Instead of saying, “which of these three recognized the poor victim as his neighbor?” Jesus summarizes the parable by asking, “Which of these three was neighbor to him?” (Luke 10:36). This question turns everything around! Instead of focusing on the one needing help as our neighbor, Jesus focuses on the One who helps as our neighbor!

It’s not that Jesus is discouraging us from being helpful. Certainly not! After all, He concludes by saying, “Go and do likewise.” But Jesus here highlights an even more important point for you. The Good News of the Bible is not just a rehash of all the laws that would have you do good to your neighbor. We already know these and fail regularly. The really Good News is that your creator Himself is your Neighbor who does good to you.

What Jesus comes for is to be your Good Samaritan. You are the one who has been set upon by Satan. You find yourself beaten, stripped, robbed and left for dead. And the Samaritan comes along to help you because you can’t help yourself. He doesn’t come because you have treated Him well (after all, Jews hated Samaritans). Rather, He comes to you because He is Good and because He is your truest Neighbor. In this way, He does for you what no religious teacher, guru or sage can do. They all pass by yelling out encouragement and instructions to you but ultimately leaving you in the same place they found you. Only Jesus actually picks you up and carries you to safety. That’s why we call Him Our Saviour.

This is what the Christian Church is all about. It is that inn where the Good Samaritan takes you. In the parable, the Samaritan leaves behind enough money to provide for the extended care of the victim. In the Church, Jesus provides His washing, His preaching and His feeding for your ongoing care. So as you busy yourselves with all the things that you do in care of your neighbor, never forget who is your truest Neighbor nor pass by an opportunity to be picked up and cared for by Jesus, your Good Samaritan.