ARE YOU A GOOD SAMARITAN?

ARE YOU A GOOD NEIGHBOUR? (GO AND DO LIKE WISE) (Luke 10:25-37) So in Luke 10, we see Jesus being asked by a lawyer, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) Rather than Jesus just giving him the answer, I like it the way Jesus tells a story. Jesus was and is a story teller. That is why the Good News of the Gospel is called, the Story of Jesus.Its Bible History of (HisStory) Jesus didn’t answer directly. Jesus taking someone that was always put down by the Israelites and lifting him up as a role model to follow. A Samaritan who was dispized by the Jews.(vv. 30-35) The way Jesus answered the Lawyer, kind of stopped him in his tracks, because he has a self-centered and self-righteous attitude about himself. As Jesus confronted him, that prejudice started coming out. In that confrontation, Jesus called on him, to step out of himself, to extend his love not only to a SAMARITAN. When Jesus asked the question, as to who had been more neighbor like in this story (v. 36), the lawyer was dumb founded and couldn't even bring himself to say “Samaritan,” but rather replied, The one who showed him favour."(v. 37). Jesus didn't try to define who we are to love or to help,rather His premise was on loving and being a good neighbor to all we are in contact with in the moment. In His question, "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor?" He redefined the meaning of neighbor. Your neighbor is anyone in need, a neighbor is not defined by their geography, race, religion, or social status. But someone who crosses your path on any given day and need your help. This putting the Love, God has planted into your heart into action. The bible tells us, that by your fruits they will know you are a follower of Jesus. Here in Luke we find that Jesus kind of flipped the coin on the Lawyer, flipping Him from the qestion "Who do I owe love?" too, "What kind of person am I?": Jesus flipped the lawyer's question, from the profound ridgid question of who am I to be a neighbor to, to making him realize that he needed to become a neighor to all, to others in his circle of influence. I kind of had a similar situation one time. Only I do not know what nationality the ladies were. But we were coming down the high way, near Rocky Mountain House Alberta one time, and there was a truck sitting on the side of the road with its hood up. With two ladies just sitting inside. So I decided to stop our car and see if we could be of assistance. They were so pleased we stopped, they said they had counted 80 others who had passed by on the other side. With out going into great detail, I was able to assist in getting them back on the road, I did not want anything for helping them, but they insisted on me getting the children ice-cream. So we did that, but the point is, if someone is in need, we should do what we can to help them, they are who Jesus was saying is our neighbor. At the end of Jeus story, He asked which was a neighbor to the fallen man. The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him” (v. 37). Then Jesus said to Hhim as He says to us today, “Go and do likewise.” Go and be the light of Jeus onto those who need to see that Jesus is the LIght of the World. It is through Him and His love that our neighbors can hear and feel the love God has poured into our lives. I pray that we would study the word of God and seek God with all of our hearts to the point where we are full and overflowing with God's love, so that other benifit from the relationship we have with Jesus. If we are not ompacting others for God, why are we here. I am praying that God will help us see that everyone we meet is our neighbor, seeing them as another human created in Gods image andGod sent His Son to doe for them as well. Jeus came, so that all people would have the oppo=rtunity to KNOW HIM. Father God, please help me not find it difficult to be a good neighbor? Help me see and listen to the good examples Jesus gave in showing what it means to be a good neighbor and also in showing us how to be a good neighbor, how to be a loving neighbor to all. Father please help me to love others—regardless of race of colour. The ywere all made to have fellowship with you. It is in your name I pray AMEN..