OzThoughts – Friday 19th September 2008.

OzThoughts – Friday 19th September 2008.

Who is my neighbour? A religious scholar asked Jesus a related question: "And just how would you define 'neighbour'?" (Luke 10: 29 The Message). Jesus no doubt knew the scholar was looking for a loophole but he answered him by telling the story we know as “The Good Samaritan”

30b-32 " There was once a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

33-35 "A Samaritan travelling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

36 "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbour to the man attacked by robbers?"

37 "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same." (Luke 10: 30-37 The Message).

So the answer is The Samaritan is the neighbour. This is one of the stories where Jesus challenged the thinking of his listeners. He makes it clear that it is not the high placed or the privileged or even the acceptable religious types who are the neighbours. It is the man who shows care and concern for a fellow in trouble.

Jesus was extending the boundaries or breaking down the barriers that existed in people’s thinking.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Loving God, help me today to look at the people around me with the eyes of Jesus. Help me to become a neighbour and show concern to people who are not necessarily “like me”. There are so many people around mewho come from different places, help me to relate to them today, and be prepared to pay the cost like the Samaritan for Jesus sake. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3580.mp3

They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Both the rich and the poor,
the despised, the distressed,
They'll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
And none will ask what they have been
Provided that their robes are clean;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.

They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
To be met by their Father and welcomed and blessed,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
The black, the white, the dark, the fair,
Your colour will not matter there;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.

They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Out of great tribulation to triumph and rest
They'll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
From every tribe and every race,
All men as brothers shall embrace;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west.
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
Authors: John Gowans
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 170

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