“Who is My Neighbor?”

“Who is your neighbor?” At first blush, this question seems rather simple.

“Well, I live in a small cul-de-sac and on one side are Joe and Calli and their daughter. On the other side are Julie and Steve. There’s also Ben and Sarah and their girls and Steve and Barb next to them. Behind us are Jim and Arletta.”

“OK, so is anyone else your neighbor?”

“There’s the people in the neighborhood who we see at the pool. The people who have kids at the same school as our kids. I guess all of Rapid City is my ‘neighbor’ more or less.”

This question comes to Jesus in Luke 10, prompting Jesus to respond with the parable of “The Good Samaritan.” This is probably the best-known of all Jesus’ parables and (as the image portrayed in our third stained-glass window) will be the subject of our sermon for this coming Sunday. Have you ever given the question, “Who is my neighbor?” much thought?

Because, deep down, we know what it means, what it looks like, what it feels like to follow Jesus. Love God and Love others – that’s it. Except, “loving others” is so much work. The more limited I can consider this group of people (these “others”), the easier the task will be. This is what prompts the question in the first place. I know that I’m supposed to love other people. But who? How many? When can I or should I stop? Those are the responses that populate my own mind.

So, who is your neighbor?

Someone who shares a fence or a property line?

A fellow shopper in the grocery store?

A person who quickly pulls in front of you to take the last parking space?

A person holding a sign on the street corner?

Someone who looks like you? Talks like you? Dresses like you? Votes like you?

A person who has different color skin?

Speaks another language?

Has a different political viewpoint?

A person who asks for help when it’s not a convenient time?

The Good Samaritan is someone who offers help, without regard to their own plans, needs, or wants. This is a notion that is so well established in our society that we even have “Good Samaritan Laws.” In South Dakota, it states that a person is free of civil liability when they stop to help someone in an emergency. For you, what does it mean to be a “Good Samaritan?” What does it look like to be a NEIGHBOR? Share your thoughts. I’d love to hear them.

Very truly,

Pastor Adam