The wrong question

We see in this passage a very famous story: the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Jesus and an expert in the law had been talking about loving God and loving one’s neighbor. And in trying to justify his failure to love his neighbor, the expert asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” 

I think it’s interesting that Jesus never answered that question. Why not? Because it was the wrong one. 

What then is the right question? 

Jesus, after telling the story, asked the expert, “Who was the neighbor to the man attacked by the robbers?”

The expert answered, “The one who showed mercy to him”. 

Upon which, Jesus said, “That’s right. Go and do the same.” 

In short, the question is not, “Who is my neighbor,”  as if we can pick and choose who to love. 

The question is “Am I a neighbor? Am I a mercy-giver?”

And if so, we can’t pick and choose who to love. We just love and show mercy to everyone around us.  

I admit: Like the expert in the law, there are times I struggle mightily to do that. Some people just aren’t very “loveable.” 

That’s why I need a Savior. We all need a Savior because none of us keep God’s command to love perfectly. 

That, by the way, was the main point that Jesus was trying to make before the expert tried to justify his own failures to love others. 

I don’t want to be like that. Do you?

Lord Jesus, you loved me enough to save me and show me mercy. By your grace, let me be a neighbor, let me be a mercy-giver to those who are hurting around me.