Love Thy Neighbour – hoodSample

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR-HOOD

The Bible says, "Love your neighbour as yourself." We are called not only to love one another but to love those around us--our family, friends, colleagues and, of course, we are called to love those who do not yet know Jesus.

But how do we love our neighbour?

The Bible speaks of a man who was stripped, beaten and robbed and was left on the side of the road to die. A priest walked past him, so did a Levite, and neither stopped to help the man. But a Samaritan came to where the man was and took pity on him. He bandaged his wounds, put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he paid the innkeepers to look after the man and explained he would pay extra if necessary upon his return. This is a beautiful illustration of how we are called to love others. 

Sometimes loving others isn’t always convenient. The Priest, Levite and Samaritan were all journeying somewhere. The Samaritan, however, put his travel plans aside. He put his own schedule and ambition aside to help the man. The Bible says there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. We must lay our ambitions aside and lay our life down for the call and purpose of God on our life. 

Loving others costs. Whether it be our time, money or resources, loving others requires us to lay a part of our life down in order to serve someone else. The Samaritan used his time when he stopped on the road and bandaged the man’s wounds. He then used his resources, his transportation and his donkey to bring the injured man to an inn. He continued caring for the man using his finances to ensure the man was well looked after. 

The story of the Good Samaritan challenges me. Am I willing to put my own ambition aside to help others? Will we be a community of people who stop to help someone in need, even when we are busy or in a rush? Will we be the kind of people willing to help someone in need, even if it means we may fall behind?  

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for your Word. Thank You for everything Your word teaches me. God, I ask You to help me to be like the Good Samaritan. I ask You to help me to put my own selfish ambition aside so I can focus on the plans and purposes You have for my life. Give me wisdom to see those in need and courage to reach out to help them. Lord, challenge me to love others like You do. In Jesus name, Amen.