On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
— Luke 10:25-37

~~~~~

Neighbor
By Jennifer Kane

Nurture compassion with all your soul and might,
Even when others pass by out of sight.
Imitate Christ in love that takes no pause,
Giving aid, not seeking applause.
Hearts that love God will also extend
Boundless mercy to stranger and friend.
Overcome fear, judgment, and pride—
Real love walks humbly, with Jesus as guide.

~~~~~

Scriptures: Luke 10:25-37

When Jesus was asked what must be done to inherit eternal life, He turned the question back to the expert in the law: “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” The man answered with the great commandments: love God and love your neighbor. Jesus affirmed his answer but added a charge: “Do this and you will live.”

That should have been the end of the conversation—but the man wanted to justify himself. So he asked, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus responded with a story, not a definition. The parable of the Good Samaritan overturns any attempt to limit “neighbor” to someone like us—someone we like, or someone who’s easy to love. Instead, it shows that true neighbor-love crosses boundaries, breaks expectations, and moves toward need with compassion, even at personal cost.

We often interpret “love your neighbor as yourself” through a modern lens, thinking it means we must learn to love ourselves before we can love others. But Jesus is pointing to something different: just as we instinctively care for our own needs, prioritize our own pain, and seek our own good, we are to extend that same attention and care to others.

The Samaritan had every reason to pass by. Jews and Samaritans had a long history of division and contempt. But he had compassion. That compassion moved him to bandage wounds, share his ride, give his money, and make a promise to return. He didn’t stop to ask whether the man was a friend or a foe, or whether he brought the trouble on himself. He saw someone in need—and he acted.

Unlike the priest and Levite who knew the law but failed to live it, the Samaritan fulfilled it without a title, a robe, or recognition. He loved his neighbor not in theory but in deed.

Who might be “lying in the road” near you—overlooked, hurting, or different from you?
Do you sometimes justify inaction by limiting who you count as a neighbor?

~~~~~

Lord Jesus, help me to love not just in words but in action. Open my eyes to the needs around me. Break down my excuses, my fears, and my prejudices. Teach me to love others with the same urgency, compassion, and care that I show for myself. Show me how to be a neighbor today. In your name I ask, amen.

May 22 2025