Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 ESV
Audio of todays writing accompanying the Jimbob story
One of the most famous and memorable stories by Jesus is the parable of the good Samaritan.Two great questions are answered in the interchange between Jesus and the scribe (Jewish teacher of Hebrew faith). First, how does one inherit eternal life? One must love God with all of the heart, soul, mind and strength, and secondly love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus affirms this answer by the scribe, Then the next question arises, “who is my neighbor”?
The world population clock of the number of people on earth at 6:00 am central time on Jan 22, 2022 was 7,873,166,718 and increasing at a rate of approximately 140 people every minute. Every child knows it is impossible to love everyone in the world because of the volume of people and the location barriers. How do you fulfill this commandment to love your neighbor as yourself? Jesus gave the answer, “As you go”.
While you are doing life, you will encounter people in your sphere of influence. Some you will encounter daily, such as family, friends and coworkers. Some are regular encounters, such as people you exercise with, clerks in stores and banks, people you meet at restaurants, and people in your church. Some will be one time encounters, such as people you meet while traveling. And some neighbors will be your enemies or those you disagree with politically or religiously. All of these people you will have met on the road of “as you go”. Some will need your help “to show mercy to them”.
Because of Jesus’ story, we think first of the beggar on the street. They do indeed need for us to show mercy. “How would you want to be treated if it was you asking for money?” Rely on the promptings of the Holy Spirit to know when and where to engage our neighbors on the street. You will pass by many, but some you will be prompted to help.
Who else in your close circle of relationships needs you to love them through extending mercy? The act of showing mercy is usually never convenient. It will interrupt your schedule, cost you either time or money, or both. You might even feel inadequate to meet the need which makes you think, “somebody else should be doing something about this who is more qualified.” But God has chosen you to bring mercy to this neighbor in need into your sphere of influence.
The application of showing mercy is so broad it can hardly be defined. At its most fundamental levels it will include, listening with empathy, speaking with compassion, looking at the heart through the eyes, and communicating acceptance through touch. People you help will know they are loved when you engage them on the levels just mentioned.
Fine tune your ears to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit. Invite Him to help you recognize your neighbor. Ask for the courage and boldness to show mercy to those who you meet, “as you go”.
Blessings Love y’all