The Way of Jesus - wk5

"Neighboring"

Dr. Gary Singleton

What comes to mind when you hear the word “neighbor?”  Most of us probably think about the people who live next door or across the street.  In fact, that’s how the dictionary defines neighbor – “a person living near or next door.”  But isn’t it really more than that?  What about the waitress in your favorite restaurant?  Is she your neighbor?  Or what about the parents of the kids on your child’s soccer team?  Are they your neighbors?
 
For the last several weeks we’ve been talking about what it means to follow the way of Jesus, and this week Jesus lays it out for us:  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”  (Luke 10:27)  Sounds pretty easy, right?  But let’s just admit that there’s a lot more to it than we think.
 
This Sunday we’re going to look at another familiar parable – the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Jesus is asked by a young lawyer, “Who is my neighbor?”  The answer Jesus gives is not what the lawyer expected.
 
Who is your neighbor?  I hope you will join me Sunday to hear what Jesus has to teach us about what it looks like to love your neighbor as yourself.