The Neighbor

Jesus challenged the expectations of what a life that pleased God looked like. One man asked him how someone achieved right standing with God.

Jesus flipped it around. “You read the Scriptures. What do you think God says?”

The man responded: “Love God first. Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus answered: “You’re correct.”

Scripture says the man sought to justify himself. “Who is my neighbor?”

So, Jesus told a story about a man who was beaten, and robbed. The robbers left the man bleeding, and unconscious by the side of the road.

Two leaders of the community passed by the man, pretending not to notice him. These two men were regarded by the community as ones who followed God the best, and were, therefore, ones to emulate. But they failed to show love to someone in need. They lacked compassion, and didn’t want to get involved in something messy.

Another man passed by, and had a different response. He provided care, food, and shelter … and paid for it.

This man was from a group of people view with contempt by the Jewish nation. Yet, he obeyed God’s command to “love your neighbor,” where the men, who should be God’s best, failed.

Life in God is not talking, or teaching, about how we should live. Life in God is about obeying God.

Jesus did not command us to make converts, or church attenders. He commanded us to make disciples. That is, persuade people to give allegiance to Jesus, and have a lifestyle that does what Jesus said, and does what Jesus did.