The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37

That’s the question I had when I was growing up. Across the street, a new family moved in, and they had a son my age. I was super excited to have a potential new friend. A few days went by, and I built up the courage to go and talk to him. This guy was awesome! He was my age and enjoyed the same things I did. It was the best. A year went by, and he and his family moved. I was devastated. A new family quickly moved in, and I began to wonder once again, “Who is my neighbor?” It’s an interesting question that was asked of Jesus. When an expert of the law asked Jesus, He had an interesting story to tell. Have you thought about who your neighbor is? Maybe through some curiosity and intelligent questions, together we can see the world the way God intended. Want to know what I mean? Let’s see what Jesus says in Luke chapter 10.

“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.” Luke 10:27

When Jesus was asked about the law by a supposed expert of the law, he was trying to catch Jesus making a mistake. So he asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus, knowing the man who is asking the questions, asks him to interpret the law. The man, feeling confident, sums it up simply by saying, “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.” To be fair, that’s a really nice and effective way to sum up the law. If we all took this to heart and followed it, I think many of our current societal and relational problems would start to go away.

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:28

The man was not satisfied by Jesus simply agreeing with him. He wanted to prod further. So he asks a question that is very revealing of the human condition. He asks, “Who is my neighbor?” If I were to ask you this today, how would you respond? Most likely, it would be some kind of answer about the people who live next to you. However, that’s not what Jesus would say. You see, for Jesus, the question doesn’t involve geographical location. It involves a simple idea that he communicates through a parable.

In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers.” Luke 10:30

The story isn’t a very happy one. Jesus describes a man who is robbed and beaten and left for dead. As he lays there, different individuals pass by. First is a priest who worships God; he doesn’t help. Next, a Levite whose house is in service to God; he doesn’t help. Last comes a Samaritan, who bandages the man, takes him to an inn, and pays for all the expenses. If you aren’t familiar with the social issues of Jesus’ time, you wouldn't think twice. However, for the man who asked the question, the Samaritan is one of the worst possible people to come by.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Luke 10:36

Jesus finished his story and asked the man which one of the three was a neighbor to the man who was dying. This question is not the same as the previous one I asked you. It’s different. For Jesus, being a neighbor to someone isn’t about where you live; it’s about the way you treat others. Jesus was trying to teach this man that the limits to loving others do not stop with a geographic fence but extend to all peoples.

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37

“Go and do likewise.” These are the words that Jesus tells this expert of the law. When it comes to our walks with Christ, he is seeking for us to be neighbors to everyone. To show mercy and extend love. The good Samaritan in the story didn’t have to help out. He could have walked away, and nobody of his time would think twice. Instead, he went above and beyond what was asked. Today, we are faced with similar divisions in society. People who should be our enemies, according to society, but Jesus says otherwise. Jesus, as He left the earth, gave a Great Commission. It's recorded in Matthew chapter 28. Go and check it out sometime. In it, He says that we are to “go.” This “go” is a command, and I believe that Jesus wants us to go out into the world, treating everyone as our neighbor.