Neighbors

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Matthew 7:12

A neighbor is defined as one who lives close to you.  Recently, we had the opportunity to watch the movie, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?  the story of the life of Fred Rogers.  When our kids were growing up, Mister Rogers was on TV every afternoon, and it was usually quite popular with them.  The adults in the room thought it was a bit corny at the time,  but after seeing this movie, we were so wrong.  Mr. Rogers had it right.  The movie sheds a whole different light on him;  his background as an ordained minister, his strong Christian beliefs, and his desire to help children with positive reinforcement, self esteem and qualities of a good neighbor.

This movie begs the question, Who is your neighbor?  In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus is asked the same question, and he responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan.  What qualities would Jesus consider worthy of being called a good neighbor?

When I picture this parable in my mind, I always remember the pictures in the Bible stories for children. It helps to set the scene.  The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is roughly 17 miles through rocky country and desert.  The road is winding, and it provides many places to encounter robbers and thieves along the way.  It was here that the traveler was robbed, beaten and left for dead on the side of the road.

Hypocritical clergymen ( a Priest and a Levite), see the injured man, and they not only pass him by, but also cross over to the other side of the road to avoid making contact with him.  They ignored the quality of faithfulness that was required of them, and they failed to exhibit the empathy required to be good neighbors.

The Samaritan on the other hand, showed mercy to the injured man.  The Samaritans were looked upon as outcasts and heretics by the Jews of this day.  In making the Samaritan the hero, Jesus illustrates how important showing mercy is no matter the bias we might feel as we strive to be good spiritual neighbors.

Finally, Jesus shows us that justice has been served here.  The priest and Levite were exposed for their unfaithfulness, the Samaritan was seen in the light of mercy, and the wounded man was restored through the kindness of the most unlikely man.

Everyone is our neighbor.  Jesus uses this story to illustrate to us that He wants us to be givers of love as well as recipients of love.  Always strive to keep the Golden Rule.  If others should fail, it is them, not us!