But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29
“On His interlocutor inquiring, Who is my neighbor? Jesus did not, in the same way with the Jews, specify the blood-relation, or the fellow-citizen, or the proselyte, or him that had been similarly circumcised, or the man who uses one and the same law.
But He introduces one on his way down from the upland region from Jerusalem to Jericho, and represents him stabbed by robbers, cast half-dead on the way, passed by the priest, looked sideways at by the Levite, but pitied by the vilified and excommunicated Samaritan; who did not, like those, pass casually, but came provided with such things as the man in danger required, such as oil, bandages, a beast of burden, money for the innkeeper, part given now, and part promised.
Which, said He, of them was neighbor to him that suffered these things? and on his answering, He that showed mercy to him, replied Go also, therefore, and do likewise, since love buds into well-doing.”
Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) in Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? XXVIII.
I am posting this Daily Meditation prior to crossing the Pacific. Let me know if you want a copy of my itinerary to pray with me for fruitful program work over the next two weeks in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan.
I am thankful today for the fresh thoughts from an ancient teacher, Clement of Alexandria. I pray that all who read it grow in love that “buds into well-doing.”
It struck me anew today that the priest “passed by” the hurting person and the Levite “looked sideways” at him. Why would they do this? Those words got me thinking. When we pass by or look sideways at people in need, like the lawyer in today’s Scripture, we show that we are judging others and trying to justify ourselves.
It goes like this. We rationalize why we don’t need to help a person in front of us. It’s someone else’s responsibility. In our self talk we continue like this. It’s the pastor’s job or the ministry worker’s role to visit the sick or help the hurting person, not mine.
Or we articulate in our minds that we have already done our part. I served last week or gave last month. I don’t need to do any more at this time. I will leave that for someone else. Or this is how many people reason sometimes, including me. I am too busy. Too busy is not a good excuse when loving God and others marks the greatest commandment.
One of my mentors and friends, John Stanley, has taught me to lean into creating “margin” in our schedules and our budgets so that we can love our neighbors like the Samaritan did. Notice that the Samaritan provided such things as “oil, bandages, a beast of burden, and money for the innkeeper.”
God forgive us for judging others and trying to justify ourselves. Show us by your Holy Spirit what it means to love You and love others with margin in our lives so that our love shifts from passing by and looking sideways at people and so it buds into well-doing. Hear my prayer in your mercy in Jesus name. Amen.