AND WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR? - PART 2

MONDAY 28 APRIL 2025

Being a neighbour to anyone can be truly accessed from the standpoint of tendering a sacrificial help to that person with any pressing need - from man's standard of influence, with a focused attention based on a rewarding perspective that comes from God's higher standard of influence. More below!

Reference: Luke 10:29 New International Version (NIV)

"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?"'

In accordance with our referenced Scripture, the man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" What does this imply? It means that he gave a certitude that we need now not to assume, that he was more than willing to test Jesus.

Yes, with the expert in religious law, there was an absolute certainty or conviction that "looking for a loophole" while wanting to show the importance of his question, was the case. However, the Lord Jesus Christ responded again with a tremendous thought of parabolic delight, worthy of utmost attention. To that effect, Luke 10:30-36 (NIV) reads:

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise" (End of Parable).

Beloved, I believe that the above versified passage is self explanatory, and I hope to shed light on the few lessons from this parabolic teaching - in the successive parts of this topic.

Now watch this: In defining "Neighbour", did you know that Jesus did not recount or depict a neighbour as the person with changeless address living next to you in a large residential district? When you trigger an active response on the side of righteousness, to someone in need of any profitable help you can offer, by rendering a helping hand with the perfect knowledge of the help required, or you give the assurance that the help shall be given as needed, signifying a genuine trust calling aright in the time of another person's need, because you are accustomed to doing good, and so being unfamiliar with evil, you are a neighbour to that person in dire need of help.

And here is the positive truth: Being a neighbour to anyone is far beyond a nearness of occupancy to someone in a residential address, meaning that until a man went out, and came back again, or even if a man went to found a new city situated at a far distance, but has never offered a charitable help that favours someone in need, he hasn't been a neighbour to anyone yet. Stay tuned for part 3. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 25:4; Proverbs 25:11; Isaiah 58:10; Galatians 6:9.

Exuberant Declaration:

I have the best and timeless neighbour who does not fail. His name is the precious Holy Spirit; my ever-present help in time of need. Blessed be God!