Thursday: Who Is My Neighbor?
Daily Lesson for Thursday 20th of March 2025
In Luke’s account, just after Jesus declares the two greatest commandments of love for God and love for a neighbor, a lawyer, “wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ ” (Luke 10:29, NKJV). In response to this, Jesus tells the now-familiar, but then shocking, parable of the good Samaritan.
Read the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. What is this passage saying in light of the cry of the prophets for mercy and justice and of the kinds of injustices that different people groups have inflicted on “others” throughout human history?
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Jesus did not just talk about justice; He came to bring it. He was and will be the fulfillment of the prophetic call and longing for justice (see Luke 4:16-21 in light of Isaiah 61:1-2). He is the desire of all nations, especially those who recognize their need for deliverance.
In direct contrast to the enemy, who grasped for power and sought to usurp God’s throne, Jesus lowered Himself and identified with those under sin, injustice, and oppression (without being infected by sin), and He defeated the enemy by giving Himself in love in order to establish justice as the One who is just and the Justifier of all who believe. How can we claim to be concerned about the law that Christ died to uphold if we are not concerned about what Christ calls the weightier matters of the law?
Psalms 9:8-9 proclaims, “He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (NKJV). Likewise, Psalms 146:7-9 adds, God “executes justice for the oppressed” and “gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside down” (NKJV).
How much clearer could the Word of God be in regard to how we should seek to minister to those around us who are in need and are hurting?
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What can we learn from the life and ministry of Jesus about reaching out to those in need? Even if we can’t perform miracles as He did, for many hurt people, how could our help be deemed “miraculous” enough? |
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The most popular or the most referenced parable of Jesus is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This story (parable) is very popular for a number of reasons.
1. This story appeals to many people because it teaches about the universality of love and compassion. It demonstrates that true love and compassion goes beyond cultural, racial, nationality, and religious barriers.
2. This story has got very strong moral and ethical importance. Human beings should help one another regardless of any perceived human barriers. Whenever there is a human need, human beings should respond to save lives. Life is precious whether it is a stranger or an enemy.
3. This story is popular because it addresses the very need of every human being. All human beings need to be treated with kindness particularly when at the weakest point.
The parable of the Good Samaritan has got critical lessons that are very essential for those who are waiting for the second return of Jesus Christ.
1. True love is practical
2. True love transcends all boundaries
3. Compassion is not just a feeling, it is action
4. Religiosity does not guarantee righteousness
5. Salvation is for all including those whom we perceive as sinners
6. Love is the fulfilment of all laws
7. Serving humanity has no excuse
8. Loving others is evidence that we have received the salvation of Jesus Christ.
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself” - Galatians 5:14
Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan must have irked the Jews. There was a deep theological divide between the two. Each had their own version of the Torah but the biggest divide was over the placement of the Sanctuary. The Jews had their temple on Mount Zion in Jerusalem while the Samaritans built theirs was built on Mount Gerizim. The Jews hated the Samaritans and called them names.
I have had my own "Good Samaritan" experience. When I was a lecturer we had a Catholic woman who had been a nun teach the Legal Studies course. Teaching was only a minor part of what she did. Her main activity was working as a lawyer for the homeless, drug addicts, battered women and other folk who could not afford legal representation. She was a real asset to our business studies program and gave our students a wonderful insight into the value of applying legal skills in the community.
The irony of a Catholic teaching in a Seventh-day Adventist institution and showing us how to be a Christian was not lost on us. There were critics who made comments about Catholic influences in Adventist institutions but those of us who knew this woman remembered the story of the Good Samaritan and let her works speak for themselves.
I am reminded of this every time we have a theological argument.