“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ”
– Luke 10:25
Some rabbis believed that “neighbors” meant only fellow Jews, while others included Gentiles. Still, everyone agreed a Samaritan could never be a neighbor because the Jews deeply disliked them. After the Assyrians conquered Israel in 722 B.C., the Samaritans came from the mix of people left behind, and the Jews saw them as a constant reminder of their defeat and a threat to their way of life. So, when Jesus said that loving your neighbor included helping a Samaritan, it was a shocking and radical idea for His listeners. My friend, you are called to love even those who are hard to love. The world needs to see the heart and mind of Christ working in and through you. Show Christ’s love in your actions and attitudes. Instead of tearing others down, be an example of grace and kindness, even to those you disagree with. Respect everyone’s dignity and remember each person is made in God’s image. Rely on His grace to help you love others. You are meant to continually show Jesus’ love in the world. |
Prayer
Teach me to welcome the questions of others, Jesus, so that Your wisdom, life, and truth can flow freely through me.
Reflection
How do you respond when your beliefs and convictions are questioned?
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One Response
Good question, I tell them, that I test my belief’s, do you test yours? A neighbor is anyone who is next to you at the time or beside you! On a bigger scale, whether its a country, city, town or community… even if its land like a forest or field, water or lake in between, everything has something beside itself. Nothing is alone, by it’s self, everything is connected to something, that’s the way I see it. Therefore, everything belongs too something, which means to me. Someone is responsible for causing all this to be it so. To cause all that, and to create an effect, you would have to be GOD! Only GOD could do it, and that gives me reason to believe. Amen…