"Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"
There seems to be a tremendous sadness within the hearts of the American people.
Anger and rage are being fueled by a tremendous sense of injustice, and have spread like a pandemic not only through our nation but also throughout the world.
We are at a point that we never hoped to see and in a place that leaves us all wondering, how or if we will ever recover.
Many of us are scared even to speak for fear of being misunderstood or even misrepresented.
Conversations have become more difficult. Families have become more divided.
It seems that everyone feels they are right but few are willing to listen and learn.
I have a question for you today? What would Jesus do if He lived on this earth in these times? Would He join a political cause or party? Would He speak evil of leaders and dignitaries? Would He murder the innocent? Would He mock the wounded? Would He just walk by the marginalized and the oppressed?
You see, the answer to this question determines our response to our current dilemma.
I believe that Jesus showed us how He would respond and how we as His disciples should respond in the following passage…
Luke 10:25-37 {The Parable of the Good Samaritan}
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
From this passage we can learn the following:
A. Knowledge is not enough. {The priest and the Levite saw him but passed by}
B. We must act upon what we see. {The Samaritan saw him and had compassion}
“Compassion”: 1. A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity;
You cannot give away what you do not have!
The only way we can love our neighbor as our self, is to first receive God’s love and forgiveness.
The Bible declares that God is full of compassion.
Psalm 78:38 “He being full of compassion forgave their iniquity.”
Luke 15:20 “His father had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”
True compassion leads to action!
· He saw him
· He had compassion on him
· He went to him
· He set him on his own beast
· He brought him to an inn
· He took care of him
· Gave to him
It’s not enough just to watch and see others in need.
It’s not enough to say, “I am praying for you!”
It’s not enough to share a post!
It’s not enough to say you like all people!
It’s not enough to just walk by!
We must make a decision today… Will I obey the command of Jesus Christ and love my neighbor as myself?
Jesus closes this conversation with this question and command…
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
I am going to ask each of you to do something as a declaration to God right now.
· Bow your knees or hearts to God
· Say to God, “You are compassionate God. I come home to you today. Thank You for having mercy upon me. I receive your forgiveness now. I am so sorry for having prejudice, racism, and inequity in my heart. Just as You have forgiven me, I forgive myself. Today, I make a decision to love my neighbor as myself! I will see the needs of others! I will go to them and show them compassion. I will love my neighbor as I love myself. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
Amen! Amen!
