I’ve been journeying through the book of Luke, following what Jesus is doing and saying. I found myself in the 10th chapter, sitting in a part where an expert in religious law came up to Jesus and asked what he should do to inherit eternal life.
The man’s response was, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). And Jesus says, “Do this and you will live” (Luke 10:28).
Now, the next part caught my attention. In the New Living Translation, it says, “The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?'” (Luke 10:29).
This part caught me because, first, I think of the many times I look to justify my own actions. But then, second question: Who is my neighbor?
Jesus goes on to give a parable that a lot of us have probably heard about, the Good Samaritan. But in this parable, he completely flips the question around. Instead of answering the man directly by telling him who his neighbor is, he asks who was a neighbor to the man who was attacked.
This is what I’m going to explore today, because maybe the most important thing you and I can consider is what kind of neighbors we are. This will reflect what kind of men we are and who we are becoming.
So, let’s dive in here on some important elements of what it looks like to become a real neighbor, at least from what I got in Luke, according to Jesus.
Becoming a Real Neighbor
Is a real neighbor just something that happens through geographical proximity? Or a lot more? Here’s what stands out to me from this passage.
It starts with heart proximity. A heart filled with compassion, kindness, and mercy, demonstrated in loving actions to those we encounter each day.
From there, it becomes hospitality to others. Extending a hand, carrying a load, opening doors, providing a place to stay. I see this played out in the parable.
It’s relational. It’s lived in relationship and in presence with someone else.
It’s provisional. Caring for their actual, tangible needs. The Good Samaritan demonstrated this through his kindness, soothing the man’s wounds with oil and wine and bandaging them up, and ensuring that he was tended to.
It’s proximal. Being a real neighbor applies first to those we see, are near, can speak to, and touch. It’s easy to get our minds wrapped up in things that might be happening away from us and miss what’s happening right in front of us.
It requires being aware and alert. The Good Samaritan noticed. He saw the man. Given that the road he was traveling would have been dangerous, it seems reasonable to assume he stayed alert. But shouldn’t all of us be alert and attentive to others on our own paths each day?
It’s humble. Not looking down on someone else because of their condition, skin color, or status.
And it remembers. Becoming a real neighbor follows up on needs. Even though he had to continue on his travels, the Good Samaritan planned to follow back up.
So here’s what I see: Becoming a neighbor is less about sharing a yard line and more about extending mercy. Because, according to Jesus, a true neighbor is one who shows mercy (Luke 10:30–37).
Honestly, in our day-to-day, the people we want to “pass by” or “pass up” are probably the ones that becoming a neighbor most applies to.
Moving Forward
Here are a few questions to challenge both myself and you as the reader here.
Are we merciful?
Today, how can we show mercy and compassion to those we encounter?
Will we stay alert to the needs of others?
Will we look out for those who are vulnerable or being exploited?
Wherever you’re at today, look around. Consider who you can become a neighbor to.
-Alex