Is it you? Is it me?
Is it us — regardless of what we see?
What makes a good neighbor?
A PARABLE & A DREAM
When I saw this prompt, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the parable of “The Good Samaritan”. In Luke 10:25-37, a lawyer asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus then asked the lawyer to share what’s written in the law pertaining to his question. When the lawyer recited the first and second commandments:
“… 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 neighbor as thyself”,
Jesus confirmed the lawyer’s answer and said, “do this and you will live”. Faithlessly tempting, the lawyer asked, “who is my neighbor?”
Thereafter, Jesus shared the story of a passerby that had compassion on a severely injured stranger, recently beaten and robbed. The observer, in route to his own destination, saw someone in need, and chose to bandage the man’s wounds, transport him to safety, and give out of his personal resources to lodge him. Clearly, the hurt person didn’t have the means or physical strength to help himself — but God sent an unlikely helper, that asked nothing in return.
Early in the allegory, a priest and Levite saw the injured man prior to the “Good Samaritan”, but they ignored and avoided him. After sharing the parable, Jesus reposed the lawyer’s question asking, “who was the good neighbor?” The lawyer declared that the “good neighbor” was the merciful one. Jesus then said, “Go and do likewise.”
AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE
A G-Check with a twist! 👀
I admit that I judged the religious figures in the story. Every time I heard or read the parable, I shook my head in disapproval of their coldness. While reading the scriptures, offense tempted like a mo’fo’. My first instinct wasn’t to extend grace, compassion, or prayers for the priest and Levite. The Holy Spirit showed how that way of thinking exhibits the same energy that influences the behavior I criticized. God also reminded me of occasions when I refrained from extending myself, for many “human kind” of reasons. The memories silenced all judgments.
CONSIDER THIS
I sensed a question brewing within. What would a “good neighbor” do in the case of the religious men?
Perhaps, the badly beaten stranger in the parable figuratively depicts the inner spiritual condition of the mind, heart and soul of the religious leaders that passed by the physically hurt person. This story could also metaphorically represent any human being’s inner state, irrespective of their “assigned roles” in life, or scriptural “head knowledge” retained.
A SLEW OF POSSIBILITIES
It’s very possible that the priest and Levite may have been experiencing life’s challenges. Perhaps they were numb, consumed, confused or afraid. Maybe they had nothing to give or were masking invisible wounds. It’s possible that they were so “in routine” or detached, that they just couldn’t be a vessel for present help to anyone in that moment. What about forgiveness?
What if the parable is also meant to reveal our own hearts to us through how we perceived every character in the story? Choosing not to intercede in prayer for anyone in perceivable need may be spiritually equivalent to avoiding the physically bruised person laying on the ground in the parable.
REFLECTION
In the same way we wouldn’t criticize or judge a visually impaired person, a physically hurt person, or someone with special needs, may be the same way to approach to perceivable spiritual impairments or needs as God graces sight. Paul shares what I believe to be a special point of prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21; specifically in verses 17-19 . May we all “come to know the love of Christ, that passes knowledge…”.
Jesus paid a high price redeem mankind. This includes everyone, regardless of what stage of the journey we meet them in. Some encounters may be a test for us to reveal where we truly stand, and how far we have to grow.
Part two of “The Good Neighbor” coming soon!
SOURCE REFERENCES
Luke 10:25-37 NIV, Luke 10:25-37 KJV, John 14:6, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 John 4, Deuteronomy 6, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Matthew 5, Romans 8:16-18, John 10:10, Ephesians 3:14-21, Biblegateway.com.
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