Who is my Neighbor?
Pastor Todd Blansit
New Life Church
November 17, 2024

Jesus shows the lawyer he was asking the wrong question. The question isn’t who is my neighbor, or what’s the right thing to believe. Instead, he should be asking, how can I be a good neighbor? And how can I live out my beliefs?

Some people may fear being labeled as woke for approaching race or cultural relations, but I want to remind you this
treating all people with dignity, regardless of skin color and nationality, is rooted in the Gospel.

Because Jesus understands that the Samaritan is an enemy of the Jews, Jesus shows that the requirement, or the invitation, is to have such a vibrant and loving relationship with God that you have the heart of God for all people, which includes your enemies.

This parable points to a deeper reality. The Samaritan was despised and rejected by man. Scripture reminds us that we were dead in our trespasses and sins, separated from God, yet Jesus, like the Samaritan, pursued us. Jesus, the Son of God, has gone to the cross for your sin out of love and pursuit of you.