"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was once again being tested by the teachers of the law. One asked him, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (v. 10:25). Jesus then asked the man what he read in the Law. Of course, the man answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (v. 10:27)
Jesus told him he had answered correctly – and to do so, he would live. Seemingly unsatisfied, the expert persisted and asked, “And who is my neighbor?”
"In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his donkey, brought him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’" - Luke 10:25-35
What is somewhat shocking is that Jesus had made a Samaritan the hero of the parable. The Samaritans were not just hated by the Jews but considered to be lowlifes. Certainly, knowing the stir that would result, Jesus dissed the priest and the Levite—representing pillars of the Jewish community—and set the Samaritan an example to be followed—an example for all of us to follow. Of course, the story of the good Samaritan has resulted in a common phrase—even unknowingly used by non-believers. The name has been applied to health organizations, churches, and international relief organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse. Many states even have “good Samaritan laws” that allow individuals on the scene of an emergency to render aid without being sued for their actions.
On the scene of an emergency – rendering aid to a complete stranger because they need help. We know nothing about them, only that they need help and cannot help themselves. And in that situation – we are to express to them the love of God within us. Perhaps there, state governments have unknowingly answered the question asked by the legal expert: “Who is my neighbor?”
We hear many Christians talk about “loving God and loving others.” Pastors preach about it. Songs are written about it. And quite rightly so – Jesus declared these to be the greatest commandments. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:27) Sometimes it is put this way: we are to “love our neighbor as we are to love ourselves.”
Yet…it is one thing to talk about all this and yet quite another to live it out in everyday life, isn’t it? Of course, loving God is pretty clear, right? But perhaps the teacher of the law raised a legitimate question when he asked: who exactly is our neighbor, and how are we supposed to love them? Let’s face it: many of our “neighbors” are unlovable. They may think the same about us. But isn’t that precisely the point?
When asked, Jesus was quoting specifically from Leviticus 19:18. This meant the Jews of the day might have understood their neighbor to be fellow Israelites. But Jesus’ teaching has a much broader application in mind. Loving our neighbor is much more than loving those we like, or those who like us or are like us, or those we go to church with. Much more than loving those who love us in return. Even Leviticus taught that in verses 19:9-10:
"‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God."
“Leave them for the poor and the foreigner.” In today’s words – help out those who are struggling. The poor and the stranger – the foreigner – are all our neighbors. Jesus taught that our neighbor is pretty much anyone God places in our path with whom we can share God’s love. Yes – even the one whose politics you find abhorrent.
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. " Matthew 5:44-47
Biblically speaking, love is how we act, not necessarily how we feel. We are to love others as we love ourselves. Jesus cast it as what we call the “golden rule” – even though many don’t know it comes from the Bible:
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31
Jesus also taught us to love others as he has loved us : "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) How did Jesus love us? Easy – sacrifice. He gave up himself for us. He healed even those he didn’t know. He fed thousands upon thousands. He died for us even while we were still sinners.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
Verse 10 says it more bluntly – “…while we were God’s enemies…” In the Old Testament book of Micah, the prophet was talking about sacrifices before a holy God, to which he said this:
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8
To act justly and love mercy. This is acting in love. Compassion, honesty and justice in our relationships with others. Refusal to bear a grudge. Willingness to forgive as we have been forgiven. An effort to reconcile with anyone with whom we may have an issue – by going directly to him or her.
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."- Matthew 7:12
Recently I have heard this expressed another, quite compelling, way. We should treat others as we would have God treat us.
We must remember that showing true love does not mean agreeing with everything our neighbors say or do. It does not mean we try to gain their approval or hope to get something in return. We express God’s love when we have compassion and help meet their needs to the extent we can. The Samaritan expressed true love by seeking to do what was best for the man he didn’t know. This was when two who considered themselves men of God had simply passed him up. At the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked the expert in the law,
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Indeed – a message for all of us. We are to go and do likewise. James, the brother of Jesus, called it the “royal law.”
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right." - James 2:8
We love our neighbor when we can share God’s truth. After all, Jesus alone can truly save and meet their real needs. But sometimes God’s truth—God’s love—is expressed best not just in words but in how we live our lives, in our actions. We act toward others with a heart that first loves God. Then, we love our neighbors out of the abundance of God’s love for us. When we do this, we love our neighbors as we do ourselves, as we have been loved.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/JackF
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.