Are you being neighborly to everyone, even your enemies? Chris Brannon continues in our Parables series with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Of all Jesus’ parables, none has worked its way deeper into the American consciousness as the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  The phrase “Good Samaritan” is used to describe any person who goes out of his way to help another.  On the surface, this parable seems to be a simple story about being kind. It’s actually much deeper than that. This story is designed to show each of us how sinful and selfish we really are. That our only hope of going to Heaven is by being justified by Jesus, not by doing good works.

Who is your neighbor? This parable teaches us that the world is our neighbor! There are obstacles that stand in the way of us living out the way of love. One is that we are unhealthily busy, leaving no margin in our schedules for helping. We are also overly engaged with our own life, to the exclusion of others. The religious guys in the parable had plenty of excuses not to help, including being in a hurry, just letting someone else deal with it, and they didn’t want to be defiled.

How is loved expressed? Love is expressed through concern for others in distress. It’s also expressed by turning aside from our lives and agendas to care about others. Another expression of love are kind words to the downtrodden. Generously giving to alleviate suffering is another way. Also, getting messy with those who are in a mess and inconveniencing yourself, going our of your way for the good of others. Who is your brother? Who is your neighbor? Your brother is anyone who is in danger, in need, in pain or in trouble.

Are we going to be like the Samaritan who gives help when help is needed? Or are we going to be caught up in questions about who we’re supposed to help, and when, and where, and how? What grounds the way that we think about neighbors is actually our identity, not theirs. What matter first is who we are.