Indifference or Compassionate Action?
Luke 10:25-37
Have you ever asked one too many questions? In this Scripture, the expert in the law did just that. In his attempt to test Jesus, he exposed his own true nature. Jesus’ response to his questions should cause us to examine our nature and motives.
After asking and agreeing with Jesus about what he must do to inherit eternal life, the expert pressed Jesus further on the subject of who he should love: that is, who was a neighbor. Rather than trying to clarify the earlier answer, this expert was, in fact, trying to justify his lack of compassion and concern. Before we think too little of this man, we need to look at ourselves.
Are there those in our lives to whom we should extend love, and yet don’t? Do we try and justify our lack of love toward them? Are we more like the law expert than we care to admit?
In response to the law expert’s questions, Jesus told a story – one that is familiar to most of us. Jesus used this story to illustrate the point that our neighbor is anyone in need. Anyone. Race doesn’t matter; gender is irrelevant; economic status and social background are immaterial. Wherever we are, wherever we live, we will find people in need. They are our neighbors.
Each of the men who passed the victim in this story saw him and saw his need. Only one of them, though, responded to that need. Only one “loved his neighbor.”
To love our neighbor as ourselves, we must see the people around us through Jesus’ eyes. We need to be intentional about looking for people with needs. All too often, we get so wrapped up in our own lives, and even our own ministries, that we do not see the needs right in front of us. We need to take a step back, open our eyes, and really look at the people with whom we come in contact. What needs do we see? And how can we respond?
It is not enough to see the needs. We do not love as Jesus commanded if we do not do all that we can to meet those needs.
The Samaritan responded to the need he saw, and he did so at his own expense. Regardless of the fact that the victim was someone of another race – and one which hated Samaritans – he interrupted his own schedule, cared for the man, and paid for his lodging out of his own pocket.
When we see a need, as a follower of Jesus, we have only one acceptable response. The only question we should ask is, “How can I best show love?” Loving our neighbor should be a lifestyle, a daily decision to compassionately respond the people around us.
Register– Lessons in the BSL series for the winter quarter are being written by Laurie Register, executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union, SCBC.