When Jesus threw the question back to him, he knew the correct answer, and said, "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and love thy neighbor as thyself."
But then. Then he asked, "Who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replies with the story of the Good Samaritan and elicits from the young man the response that he who shows mercy is a neighbor.
- When we love our neighbor, we show that we love God.
- Jesus sees only one race: the human race.
- Prejudice is making assumptions based on what you see.
- Love means moving toward others. It is not convenient.
- God has called us to love the unlovable.
- If you make yourself available, God will use you.
- Too often we take a political stance when we are called to teach the gospel.
- Our circle of friends should be expanded to include others, others of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, political positions.
- Enlarge your circles.
Questions
- Who are those that you avoid because they are different?
- What injustice can you fight against?
- How can you enlarge your circles?
Pastor Joe Deckard
Sun
2 comments:
This is a tough one. Our neighbors are jerks who cause trouble for us at every opportunity. I may have to move to get to heaven.
Lin, I find this to be a tough one, too. There are so many unloveable people out there, and for me, I fear, so little love to go around. More prayer and more kindness, I guess. Hope the new week brings you new joys!
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