Who is Your Neighbor?

CALL TO PRAYER

By: Stephen Osei Kuffour

Date: 02.10.2022

Title: Who is Your Neighbor?

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  (Luke 10:36-37 NKJV)

The word of God commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and also love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt 22:36-40). Our Lord Jesus called these two, the greatest Commandments. We are supposed to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, but the question is, who is our neighbor? Is it only the friend staying next door? Is it someone who comes from the same country as you? Is it your Church member, Classmate, or work colleague?

The Lord Jesus provided an answer to this question with the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.” This parable was about a Jewish man who was attacked by Bandits on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. Two of his countrymen who were even a Priest and a Levite walked past this injured man without offering any help. However, a Samaritan man, who comes from a different race felt compassion for the injured man. He provided some first aid to the injured man, took him to the hospital, and paid all the bills as well (Luke 10:30-37).

It is very important to understand that a deep hatred existed between the Jews and the Samaritans. The Jews saw themselves as pure descendants of Abraham, while the Samaritans were a mixed race produced when the Jews from the northern Kingdom intermarried with other people from different nations. Upon all these, the Samaritan man looked beyond race and hatred and provided help to someone who was in need.

We can now understand that when the word of God talked about our neighbor, it was referring to anyone of any race, tribe, ethnicity, color, religion, or social background who is in need. As Christians, we are commanded to love and help everyone who is in need, including unbelievers. It is easier to show love to a family member, Church member, friend, work colleague, and someone from the same race or country. However, as Christians, we must go beyond this and show love to those who are not close to us and even to those who offend us.

Beloved in the Lord, love is a commandment. As Christians, we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we must also love our neighbor as ourselves. Our neighbor is anyone who is in need. Simply put, we must love everyone. Let’s obey the Lord by showing love to one another and loving others as well. By so doing, many will see that we are true children of God, and the name of the Lord will be glorified.

Prayer Point:

Let’s thank God for His Word today. Let’s ask the Lord to help all Believers to love the Lord with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength. Let’s also ask the Lord to help us to show love to everyone and help anyone who is in need.

God bless you all

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