May 8, 2000
GREAT QUESTIONS OF THE BIBLE:
"Who is my neighbor?"
Luke 10:29
___By David Hardage
___Pastor, First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs
___"It began as a test. The lawyer determined to test Jesus with a series of questions. Jesus responded to the lawyer's first question with a question of his own. The lawyer correctly answered the question Jesus asked him, and quickly followed with another question.
___ This second question the lawyer asked Jesus was a good question, certainly. But it was more than just a good question. It was a logical question. If the lawyer knew anything, he knew the law. The law stated clearly, and is recorded in Deuteronomy 6:5, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." The lawyer believed there was only one God, and that one God was to be loved. That was the easy part to understand.
DAVID HARDAGE
___ However, the second issue of love was more difficult, and it has an Old Testament background as well. In Leviticus 19:18, the following challenge is given, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Because there are many possible answers to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" the lawyer left justified in reserving the right to decide for himself who was and who was not his neighbor. Thus, determining for himself whom he was to or not to love.
___ The question is asked, "?ho is my neighbor?" Jesus answers the lawyer's questions by telling him a story. The story Jesus tells is the story commonly known as the story of "The Good Samaritan." The answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" is found in the story told by Jesus and recorded by Luke in Chapter 10:30-37.
___ Jesus indicates that one's "neighbor" is a person who is in need of help. Love of this person in need of help is expressed by first, recognizing the person and then, secondly, acknowledging the person's needs. Love is finally expressed by seeking to meet those needs.
___ Most of us who are followers of Christ are willing to acknowledge these truths about loving "neighbors." However, there is a deeper sense, which must be accepted. According to Jesus, our love for our neighbor is to be demonstrated even if the help we provide causes us some personal inconvenience. In addition to personal inconvenience, Christians are expected to show their love for their "neighbors" even if it costs something, such as money or other material resources.
___ What began as a test for Jesus ended as a serious challenge to one asking the question. The challenge Jesus gave the questioning lawyer is still valid and applicable to his followers today.
___ Love your neighbor. It's not an option!
Previous Columns: 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20 10/27, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1,12/15, 12/1,1/5, 1/12. 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1
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