Who is My Neighbor?

July 9, 2025

Who is My Neighbor?

Luke 10:29

But wanting to vindicate himself, the expert asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Who is My Neighbor?

The expert in Biblical law wanted a debate. He wanted to argue with Jesus about who was in and who was out. He might have had in mind a distance, or a sect of Judaism, some way of differentiating between neighbors and non-neighbors. He was ready to prove he was right.

But Jesus doesn’t debate. Instead, he tells the story of the Good Samaritan. One of the most repeated biblical stories, it's known by people who've never heard any others. Today, there are Good Samaritan laws to protect people if they try to show up and do the right thing, helping people in trouble. The original hearers heard an indictment of people who choose following religious law over helping people in need, as those are the people that looked away and walked by. The Samaritan, probably exactly the type of person the original expert wanted to exclude based on 1000’s of years of history – that’s the one that everyone knows is the hero in this story, going above and beyond with compassion and kindness.

This feels like an important time to remind ourselves that the definition of neighbor doesn’t rely on agreeing with people, or being on the same side of whatever fences we draw in this world. What the definition of neighbor does rely on is a willingness to show love and compassion to people in need. Ultimately, the question isn’t who is my neighbor? The question is, am I living my life as a neighbor to the people I meet along the way?

Reflection Questions:

1) So – are we living our lives as neighbors?

2) Can you think of a time you’ve had a chance to be a neighbor? What happened?

3) What would help us find our way to put down the fences we’ve been erecting, and be a neighbor to people In need?

Dear God, Please help me notice the opportunities I have to be a neighbor. In Jesus Name, Amen