Who is My Neighbor?

This week I had the opportunity to attend the Convocation of the Rural Church. The theme for the week was a simple question: Who is my neighbor? It sounds like an easy question, but it’s one that for some reason is not easy for us to answer.

The main scripture for the convocation was the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.  When the lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus doesn’t give him an answer. At least, not the kind of answer the lawyer was looking for.

Instead, Jesus tells a story.

I wonder if that’s because stories have a way of getting past our defenses. The lawyer wanted a definition. He wanted to know who counted as a neighbor and, maybe just as importantly, who didn’t. We like clear lines. We like knowing who’s in and who’s out. But Jesus doesn’t give him a list. Jesus tells the story of a man lying on the side of the road, a priest and a Levite who keep walking, and a Samaritan who stops to help. The Samaritan wasn’t the obvious choice. In fact, Jesus’ listeners probably expected him to be the villain, not the hero.

Then Jesus does something surprising. Instead of saying, “Here’s who your neighbor is,” Jesus asks, “Which of these three was a neighbor?”

Did you catch that?

Jesus changes the question. The lawyer wanted to know who his neighbor was. Jesus wanted him to think about how to be a neighbor.

It’s easy to spend our time asking, “Who should I help?” or “Who deserves my kindness?” Jesus seems much more interested in asking, “Will you be the kind of person who shows mercy when the opportunity comes?”

One of the preachers at the convocation shared a quote by Howard Thurman that fit this perfectly.

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

People who are alive in Christ don’t spend all their time deciding who is worthy of love. They simply love. They notice people. They make room for others. They stop when someone needs help. They welcome people who aren’t sure they belong.

I think that’s one of the greatest gifts the church can offer today. We live in a world where so many people feel invisible. Some are lonely. Some are carrying burdens no one knows about. Some are wondering if there is any place where they’ll be accepted. Imagine what could happen if every person who walked through our doors truly felt seen, welcomed, and loved.

Maybe that’s what being a neighbor looks like.

As I left the convocation, I realized I wasn’t carrying home an answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” I was carrying a different question.

How can I be a neighbor to the people God places in front of me?

I have a feeling that’s the question Jesus hoped we all would keep asking.  See you Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy