This question occasions one of the most famous stories known within and without Christianity. Luke tells us that the Pharisee raising this issue is not so much wanting an answer, as he is wanting to justify himself. Jesus, seeking to use the question as the foundation of a greater truth, tells the story of the Good Samaritan. He then asks the Pharisee to tell him who was a neighbor to the robbed man, and the reply is, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus then admonishes, “Go and do thou likewise.”
What, in my opinion, gets lost in the shadow of the marvelous story of the Good Samaritan is what started it, in the first place. The Pharisee wanted to know how to inherit eternal life, and after prompting by the Lord, quotes Deut. 6:5: ”Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul with all your strength.” and then he adds, Lev.19:18:”…and, Love your neighbor as yourself ”. Jesus doubtless believed that spiritual life had a direct relationship to human associations, because Jesus told him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you shall live.”In other words, the inquiry about eternal matters brought a consideration of earthly relationships!
The Jews were most particular about with whom they associated and went to huge lengths to remain clean before God by not interacting with Gentiles (unclean and/or not Jewish). They took special care to avoid the Samaritans because of the hostility surrounding the controversy about the true place of the sacrifice. So the answer given by Christ to the Pharisee was a direct challenge to the common practice of the day to limit with whom one associated based on theological issues.
A lot of that carries over into the church today. We tend to separate ourselves more and more from society and worldly values. While there is truth and value in this position, it also not only separates us from the very people who need the Gospel, it sets us up to be their judge and jury. We, too, then start defining our neighborhood by those who look, think, believe and act the way we do. Anyone outside that tight circle is often viewed with suspicion and, often, contempt. We fall victim to accepting or rejecting people on the basis of their position in society, color, wealth, birth place, language or any of a dozen mores dictated by our own customs and culture. Our neighbor becomes that person who somehow fits our narrow definition of acceptability.
Jesus laid the foundation of defining who my neighbor is, on the grounds of mercy. The person to whom I show mercy becomes my neighbor. Are those to whom I have no mercy therefore the Gentiles of my existence? Are they unclean and are never to be approached or allowed in my circle of relationships, lest I be soiled by them?
The Lord’s answer to that; was to go home with a crooked Tax Collector, offer living water to a Samaritan woman of ill repute, heal a Roman Centurion’s daughter, and to pray for the forgiveness of those who crucified him. Oh how he understood mercy! I am so grateful He has had mercy on me. Dare I do less?
Who is your neighbor? Who needs your mercy and help?
