Praize Blogs

Luke
10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell
among the thieves?

Who is
our neighbour?

Luke
10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my
neighbour?

This
question was asked of Jesus by a very religious scholar of the Old Testament.
One who studied and knew the laws of God and could recite them at will. He was
seeking justification for his religious life; trying to get approval for his
pious lifestyle over everyone else.

I have
heard many such pious statements in my Christian walk. I’m OK because I go to
church, I’m OK because our church is the only one that’s right, I’m OK because
I tithe, I’m OK because my wife doesn’t cut her hair, I’m OK because I haven’t
murdered anyone, etc. And, yes, I HAVE heard all these excuses and more why
they should be going to heaven. However, the scripture says love God first and
your neighbour as yourself. (I have also heard the one; I’m OK because we don’t
live under the law but under grace.)

Ok, so
God does not want you to love your neighbour anymore? If you think that way
then, maybe, God will accept you if you don’t love HIM anymore. No? Too far?
Which laws can you break and still be OK without repenting?

So much
for questions; the key here is not law but love. Love God first and love your
neighbour next.

Luke
10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;
and thy neighbour as thyself.

The
priest, the Levite and the Samaritan were all near the hurt man; near enough to
be considered his neighbour, but only one loved him enough to actually BE his
neighbour.

You
see, in God’s world it’s not the person that lives near you or the one who
waves good morning every time they see you, who are your neighbours but the
ones who choose to be your neighbours are your neighbours.

When
you NEED a neighbour, they are there for you.

This
man was hurt to the point of near death by no wrong doing of his own.

Luke
10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem
to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and
wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

He
could not get up or, even, ask for help. It was obvious to anyone looking at
him that he needed someone to help him.

Luke
10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw
him, he passed by on the other side.

Luke
10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on
him, and passed by on the other side.

 The priest and the Levite both had legitimate
religious reasons for passing by. They were not to touch blood; it made them
unclean for their religious duties. This might have been anyone, even a gentile
who they were also not supposed to be around. They also probably had a busy
schedule they were trying to keep. Many excuses they could use for going on by
but the man NEEDED help.

The
Samaritan was a traveler and going about his business.

 Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he
journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

 It says ‘as he journeyed’; he was going
somewhere with a purpose and he also had property.

Luke
10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine,
and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

He was
carrying wine, oil and had a beast of burden; the signs of a businessman or one
of wealth. He also had money with him. (A penny in the scripture’s time was
equal to a day’s wages.)

Luke
10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them
to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest
more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Many
good reasons not to stop to help anyone, but he saw the man NEEDED help and had
compassion on him. It’s the being near him, seeing his need and ‘having
compassion’ that made him the man’s neighbour. He also provided for the man
until he was well enough to look after himself again, even though he could not
be there to do it himself, he was willing to pay the Inn owner to do it.

Everyone
has needs; many we will not be able to help with but, if we are their neighbour
and love them, we will help with the one’s we can do. Some people only need a
kind word or a smile; simple enough things that anyone can give them.

Then
there are those who we wish we could help but cannot, but these can be
encouraged by knowing we care enough to want to help them.

So, are
you a neighbour to anyone or just a person travelling by?