The Daily Dig - Good Samaritan Day 2

The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37

YOUR NEIGHBOR
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” In an effort to check off the commandment as completed, a lawyer asked Jesus to pinpoint exactly who was his neighbor. The parable reply pushed the man to admit that anyone with a need was his neighbor. The same holds true for us no matter where we are, but let’s talk today about the ones with needs who live next door.
Think of the people who live in the 4 houses surrounding your own. What are the needs of your neighbors to the north? Have you sat (or stood) for a recent chat with your neighbors to the south? How do you help your neighbor to the west? At least each Christmas do you reach out to your neighbor to the east?
I cringe myself as I write these questions. A busy life full of connections and commitments at church, school, and in the community seem to crowd out the time and the treasure of knowing our nearest neighbors. This week pick a neighbor in one direction – north, south, east, or west, and drop by with a sweet dessert (Publix bakery is fine) and a sincere hello. Your visit might make a long day shorter, a sad day sunnier, or a bad day better.
We should show love to the neighbors who live around us, and we should show love to the neighbors who live with us. If a neighbor is someone in need, and you live with someone besides yourself, you live with a neighbor. I definitely hope you walk across the road this week, but I also hope you walk across the room. Meeting the needs of those nearest to us is sometimes more challenging than helping those far away. But we must.

If you’re married, what does your spouse need that only you can provide?

How will you meet a need today?

If you have kids, what do their hearts need from you?

How will you meet a need today?


The needs of your grandkids?

How about your parents and in-laws?


Read Ephesians 5:15 – 6:4. Notice the many action verbs. Loving the “neighbors” in our families requires desire and effort.
Let’s be honest. Sometimes we like being needed. Sometimes we loathe it. But always we need to love -- the neighbors in the bed beside us, the ones in the room down the hall, or the house across the street. Won’t you be my neighbor?