Who really is your Neighbor?

Greetings Everyone and welcome to today's edition of Learn & Grow with Jesus Everyday.

Our Bible Reading today is taken from the Book of Luke 10:30-37 NIV

Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

We all share communities with people who live close to us that we typically call our neighbors. But have you really asked yourself, "Who really is my neighbor?'

Most of the time, our neighbors aren't just those who live in our communities, or those with whom we share certain things in common. Our neighbor is actually the person we think of the least. Jesus is teaching us today that our neighbor can be the sick person on the street. It can be the beggar by the roadside. It can be that little child with nobody to call mom or dad. It can be that young girl with no place to call home. It can be that elderly person who lives alone with no one to talk to. It can be that young man who just lost his job and feels that his life is over. It can be that couple whose marriage is about hitting the rocks. It can be that person who is struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table.

Our neighbors are simply our fellow men, women and children; as many human beings as we can reach and touch in various ways with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. As numerous and diverse as they are, they all have one thing in common, they are all in desperate need of our love, compassion and kindness. By allowing God to use us as His vessels and channels of expression of His love and mercy to our neighbors, we touch the core of their hearts and humanity. They all need tender loving care and that could be all they need to see, feel and experience to change their lives. Your act of kindness to your neighbors could be the only gospel they need to hear to motivate and inspire them towards change and a better life. While everybody else indicts, condemns and ignores them everyday, why not show them that there is still some love, compassion and kindness left in humanity?

Some may have fallen on hard times and became depressed with an avalanche of insurmountable challenges. We know that they need help. We know that they are lost. We understand that “things” happen regardless of our level of our preparedness, or lack thereof. We know they need someone to talk to, someone to hold their hands, and reassure them that everything is going to be alright. When we do these things we demonstrate the love, compassion and kindness of Christ, and believe me, they know genuine love when they see it. Let your selfless actions inspire, motivate and empower your neighbors to change and give Jesus a chance in their lives as God fills them with His presence and peace with every encounter they have with you.

The bibles say that, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.". John 15:13 NKJV.

What then must we do to our neighbors?

Have compassion. Show some kindness. Demonstrate the love of Christ. Heal them in your own way. Take care of their personal needs as much as you are able. Honor them with your time, talk to them, cheer them up, keep them company, visit them, help them buy grocery, give them a call, become friends with them. Care for them, lavish them with God's love and mercy.

That's exactly what Jesus would do. Now go and do likewise.

Stay uplifted in Christ and live cheerfully everyday.

Pastor Nicholas Obodo for EXOLOM Fellowship, Maryland, USA.