MUSINGS FROM THE PEW January 2018
Neighbors by Susan Hardy
Who Is Our Neighbor?
Reference: Luke 10:25 - 37
Jesus said to love your neighbor, as yourself. But who is our neighbor? Is it the people in our “neighbor”hood or those who attend our church or go to our schools? Jesus gave us the parable of the good Samaritan to demonstrate who our neighbor is. He also showed us by example who He considered His neighbor. The Pharisees and Sadducees were constantly infuriated by Jesus’ association with tax collectors and prostitutes. In their minds He was not associating with what they perceived as His neighbors – them. Jesus knew the Father’s command meant not just those like us, but people with different ethnic or religious backgrounds, also those with different political beliefs, also the hurt and broken, the hard to like, much yet love. How do we respond to difficult personalities, those with divergent views, the homeless, those with illness (physical or mental), those who look different, or maybe the persecuted? Do we turn a blind eye? Or do we try to reach out to one or more of these groups? Jesus wants us to be a neighbor to all.
What constitutes being a neighbor? Offering a prayer for a person or situation? In some circumstances that may be all one can do. We are also told to give the coat off our back because a prayer will not keep someone warm or food for someone who is hungry (James 2:16-18). What about the persecuted? How does one support those who have racial slurs hurled at them? Does offering words of support to those affected make us good neighbors? Is there something more we should do? What would we want from “neighbors”?
We are to love our enemies (Romans 12:20-21). But, by this command it appears that it doesn’t matter who we are dealing with; they should be treated as we ourselves would want to be treated. Act toward others as you would want to be treated. Our loving God forgives us if we fail in our attempts, but He wants us to try and to keep trying. Jesus did not stop loving after reaching out to a person. Granted He knew the correct words to say, but He didn’t give up on loving because the person didn’t get it immediately. All of His ministry He loved and cared for His disciples, even if they kept frustrating Him, though lack of faith (think of them on the boat in the storm) or denying Him (Peter).
Susan Hardy
January 2018
Neighbors by Susan Hardy
Who Is Our Neighbor?
Reference: Luke 10:25 - 37
Jesus said to love your neighbor, as yourself. But who is our neighbor? Is it the people in our “neighbor”hood or those who attend our church or go to our schools? Jesus gave us the parable of the good Samaritan to demonstrate who our neighbor is. He also showed us by example who He considered His neighbor. The Pharisees and Sadducees were constantly infuriated by Jesus’ association with tax collectors and prostitutes. In their minds He was not associating with what they perceived as His neighbors – them. Jesus knew the Father’s command meant not just those like us, but people with different ethnic or religious backgrounds, also those with different political beliefs, also the hurt and broken, the hard to like, much yet love. How do we respond to difficult personalities, those with divergent views, the homeless, those with illness (physical or mental), those who look different, or maybe the persecuted? Do we turn a blind eye? Or do we try to reach out to one or more of these groups? Jesus wants us to be a neighbor to all.
What constitutes being a neighbor? Offering a prayer for a person or situation? In some circumstances that may be all one can do. We are also told to give the coat off our back because a prayer will not keep someone warm or food for someone who is hungry (James 2:16-18). What about the persecuted? How does one support those who have racial slurs hurled at them? Does offering words of support to those affected make us good neighbors? Is there something more we should do? What would we want from “neighbors”?
We are to love our enemies (Romans 12:20-21). But, by this command it appears that it doesn’t matter who we are dealing with; they should be treated as we ourselves would want to be treated. Act toward others as you would want to be treated. Our loving God forgives us if we fail in our attempts, but He wants us to try and to keep trying. Jesus did not stop loving after reaching out to a person. Granted He knew the correct words to say, but He didn’t give up on loving because the person didn’t get it immediately. All of His ministry He loved and cared for His disciples, even if they kept frustrating Him, though lack of faith (think of them on the boat in the storm) or denying Him (Peter).
Susan Hardy
January 2018