Who Is My Neighbor?

1. Who Is My Neighbor? • Context Of The Question • Given as a test - Lk10:25 • Probably an attempt to trap Jesus into making a mistake that could be used against him • Might have been done as a test to find if Jesus was really spiritually perceptive. • The lawyer's reply to Jesus seems to bear out that he at least knew what the Law required

2. Who Is My Neighbor? • Context Of The Question • Jesus turned the question around - Lk10:26 • Lawyer gave the right answer - Lk10:27-28 • Must have felt some guilt • Sought justification for actions & attitudes - Lk10:29 • It is with that introduction that Jesus relates the parable of the Good Samaritan

3. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Thieves – “No one is my neighbor” • These rule by "might makes right.“ • Lived by the iron rule and took what they wanted by force • Ones in our society that will prey upon the weak and unprotected “Do to others what you would not want them to do to you.” In other words, “What can I get from my neighbor?”

4. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Priest and Levite – “He's not my neighbor” • Philosophy of the priest and Levite was the bronze rule, “every man for himself” • It said, “Do not to men what you would not want them to do to you” Confucius (circa 500 BC)

5. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Priest and Levite – “He's not my neighbor” • Of all people who should have helped, it was the priests and Levites • These were religious people • Were comfortable keeping technical commandments, but not comfortable with loving others - Matt 5:46-47 • This kind of person just doesn't want to be bothered by someone in need Levites of the tribe of Levi who would assist in temple Priest were the direct descendants of Aaron

6. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Priest and Levite – “He's not my neighbor” • Also possible these two considered themselves as “more righteous” than the injured man • After all, they hadn't suffered God’s displeasure through the thieves • This betrays a self-righteous attitude

7. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Samaritan – “He is my neighbor” • What did this Samaritan know about this man? • He wasn't his friend • He didn't even know the man • He wasn't a member of his family

8. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Samaritan – “He is my neighbor” • Why did he stop to help the injured man? • Mercy • Compassion

9. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Samaritan – “He is my neighbor” • Fulfilled both letter and spirit of the Law - Micah 6:8; Prov 11:17 • Lived the “Golden Rule” - Matt 7:12 • Noticed moral superiority to any of the other philosophies • Priest and the Levite did not go out of their way to do anything bad to the man beaten • Neither did they go out of their way to help He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) The merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm. (Prov 11:17) Not only does it avoid doing bad things toward others It actively seeks to do good

10. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Samaritan – “He is my neighbor” • Had heart of compassion for others - Eph 4:32 • He went the extra mile • Didn't say, after he provided first aid, “I've done enough” • Didn't say, “Let someone else take him to the inn” - Matt 5:41

11. Who Is My Neighbor? • Different Answers To The Question • The Samaritan – “He is my neighbor” • Samaritan's actions were • Impartial • Spontaneous • Personal • Unselfish • Sacrificial • Sincere

12. Who Is My Neighbor? • Lessons We Can Learn • Our neighbor is anyone in need whom we can help • The Samaritan was of a different race, nationality and religion from the Jews • Christians are to have hearts of compassion for those in need, regardless of outward differences - Gal 6:10; Matt 5:43-48

13. Who Is My Neighbor? • Lessons We Can Learn • Utter hypocrisy of separating loving our neighbor from religion • The first two passers by should have helped • Were commanded to aid the stranger in the Law of Moses - Lev 19:33-34; Deut 10:17-19

14. Who Is My Neighbor? • Lessons We Can Learn • Utter hypocrisy of separating loving our neighbor from religion • Priest would teach the Law and Levite would assist in the service • Forgot what they should have practiced • Devotion was for show and self-righteous • Not true love for God • James 1:22, 26-27

15. Who Is My Neighbor? • Lessons We Can Learn • Is a cost attached to compassion • Samaritan was willing to risk much to help one in need • He crossed racial barriers • He risked being attacked by other robbers

16. Who Is My Neighbor? • Lessons We Can Learn • Is a cost attached to compassion • Christians must be willing to pay the price of compassion • Must be willing to help others • Does not mean that the Lord wants us to be cheated by those WE KNOW are cheating us

17. Who Is My Neighbor? • Lessons We Can Learn • Is a cost attached to compassion • Must be willing to sacrifice time and effort to help others • The teaching on the "second mile" teaches us this principle • See Matt 5:41