How does Luke 10:36 challenge us to redefine who our "neighbor" is? Setting the Scene Luke 10:36: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” What the Expert in the Law Expected • In the culture of first-century Judaism, “neighbor” typically meant a fellow Israelite (cf. Leviticus 19:18). • The lawyer hoped to confirm this limited definition so loving his neighbor would remain a manageable duty. Jesus’ Radical Turn • Jesus does not ask, “Who is the victim’s neighbor?” but “Which one acted as a neighbor?”—moving the word from a demographic label to a personal calling. • The Samaritan, despised by Jews (John 4:9), becomes the surprising hero, showing that neighbor-love overrides ethnic, religious, and social barriers. • The command shifts from identifying who qualifies to simply being one who shows mercy. Key Truths We Must Embrace • Neighbor is defined by compassion, not proximity or similarity. • Loving God (Deuteronomy 6:5) is inseparable from loving people, even strangers and foes (Matthew 5:43-44). • Mercy proves the authenticity of faith (James 2:14-17). How This Redefines Our Relationships 1. Broader Reach – Immigrants, refugees, the homeless, the politically opposed—all fit under Jesus’ expansive definition. 2. Active Initiative – The Samaritan “came up to him,” “bandaged his wounds,” and “took care of him” (Luke 10:34). Neighbor-love is hands-on, interrupting schedules and budgets. 3. Costly Compassion – Two denarii, plus an open tab (v. 35), illustrate sacrificial giving (1 John 3:16-18). 4. Spiritual Witness – Such mercy reflects the gospel: Christ crossed the ultimate divide to rescue sinners (Ephesians 2:13-16). 5. Ongoing Commitment – “On his return” (v. 35) shows follow-through, not one-time charity (Galatians 6:9-10). Living It Out Today • Scan daily routes—work, school, neighborhood—for those who are wounded by life’s “robbers.” • Replace labels (stranger, rival, outsider) with the single word neighbor. • Let the Holy Spirit energize love (Romans 5:5) so mercy flows consistently, not sporadically. Jesus’ question in Luke 10:36 dismantles every fence we build around the word neighbor. The only boundary left is the limitless boundary of Christ-like mercy. |
    |