How to be a neighbour
The parable of the Good Samaritan is familiar to many. It begins with a conversation between a lawyer and Christ in Luke 10.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is familiar to many. It begins with a conversation between a lawyer and Christ in Luke 10.
The lawyer asks Christ “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). Christ answers him by asking about his understanding of what is written in the law. The lawyer replies that one must love God and love one’s neighbor (verse 27). Jesus Christ tells the lawyer he is correct and if he does this he will gain eternal life.
When the lawyer asks “Who is my neighbor?” (verse 29) Christ does not answer the question directly, but begins to relate the parable of the good samaritan, beginning in verse 30. A man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho encounters thieves who attack and rob him, leaving him for dead. A priest and then a Levite pass by and fail to assist. Then a Samaritan, a person who would have been despised by the Jews of the time, sees the injured man and has compassion. He delays his journey, carries him to safety, personally cares for him, and when he cannot delay his journey longer, leaves money with the innkeeper to ensure the injured man will be cared for in his absence.
After Christ finishes this parable, He asks the lawyer, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” (verse 36). The lawyer responds, “He who showed mercy on him” (verse 37), and Christ ends the conversation by saying, “Go and do likewise.”
Helping others when they need it is not an option for Christians. Proverbs 3:27-28 not only cautions us against withholding good from those to whom it is due, it cautions us against delaying: “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.” Paul, writing to the Galatians, instructs us: “As we have opportunity let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
So, how can we follow Christ’s instruction to “Go, and do likewise”?
1. Look out for the needs of others
A good neighbor keeps an eye out for ways to help and doesn’t neglect the small things. Not every opportunity to do good is going to be lifesaving, like the Samaritan. It might just involve taking the time to listen to someone when they need to talk, helping out with a chore, or writing an encouraging note.
2. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do for someone, look for what you can do.
You might not be able to make a sick person healthy again, but you can bring a casserole, give them a hug, send a card, or make a phone call. A good neighbor does what he or she can to help.
3. Slow down.
People who are in a hurry and thinking about their own needs are much less likely to help someone, even if that person is obviously in need. We need to take time to interact with others to find out what they are dealing with, and if we can help.
4. Be willing to be inconvenienced.
Some kind acts take almost no time at all, like a smile or a kind word, but being a neighbor often involves meeting a need when you don't have time in your schedule for it.
The priest and the Levite were on a journey and, for whatever reason, they only slowed down long enough to cross the road in order to distance themselves from the injured man (verses 31 and 32). The Samaritan was also on a journey and needed to be somewhere, but his first reaction was to help. Only after the man had been rescued and carried to safety did the Samaritan continue on his way.
- Source:
United News (Sept -Oct 2021)
