Be A Neighbor
Imagine This
A man is driving home late one night when his car breaks down on the side of a busy highway. Before he can get help, someone approaches, robs him, beats him, and leaves him injured on the shoulder of the road. Cars keep passing. He cannot stand. He cannot call for help.
A local Sunday School teacher drives by. He sees the man, slows down, and then changes lanes. Maybe he assumes it is unsafe. Maybe he thinks someone else will handle it. He keeps going.
A well-respected pastor passes soon after. He notices the injured man, looks him over from a distance, and continues on his way. He sees the need, but he does not stop.
Then a man pulls over. He looks rough himself, the kind of person you’d cross the street so they don’t have to walk past. But he checks the injured man, calls for help, treats his wounds, and stays with him. He takes him to a nearby hotel, pays for his care, and promises to return. Helping costs him time, money, and risk.
Read Together
Read Luke 10:25–37 together.
As you read, notice how Jesus defines a neighbor.
Scripture Overview
Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan after a man asks, “Who is my neighbor?” The question is not asked out of curiosity, but out of self-protection. He wants limits. He wants to know who he can show mercy to and who he doesn’t have to show mercy to.
Jesus answers with a story where help comes from the least expected place. A neighbor is not defined by proximity, not by similarity, but by a willingness to act. If we want to love our neighbors as ourselves, we must realize that everyone is our neighbor.
Jesus ends the parable with the command, “Go and do likewise.” It’s not enough to just know who we should show mercy to (everyone) but we must put it into practice.
Talk About It
Why do we often want clear limits on who we are responsible to show mercy to?
What do these two stories have in common, even though the situations are different?
How do labels or roles make it easier to distance ourselves from others?
What does it mean to choose mercy before judgment?
Practice This Week
This week, pay attention to moments when it would be easier to pass by than to help. Ask God to help you see people before categories and needs before assumptions. Choose one small act of kindness that crosses a line you would normally keep. Look for ways to show mercy to someone you might be opposed
Prayer
God, thank You for showing us that mercy is not limited by roles, labels, or circumstances. Forgive us for the ways we justify ourselves instead of loving others. Open our eyes to see our neighbors clearly and give us courage to act with compassion. Teach us to go and do likewise.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.