Jesus Redefined The Word Neighbor …Hello Hump Day readers. I was invited to a pod-cast about the Good Samaritan—a story that has always touched my heart—perhaps the same for you as well? So, before we dive into this ‘redefined word called neighbor’ let’s ask ourselves this question: “Who is my neighbor and why is it so important to know my neighbor?”

The Pew Research Center put out this question throughout the USA: “How connected do Americans feel to their neighbors?” Here are the answers: The studies on American neighborhoods reveal a growing trend of disconnection, with only 26% of adults knowing all or most of their neighbors and just 44% trusting most or all of them. These comprehensive insights on neighborly relationships detail demographics, trust, and how often Americans actually interact. The main facts in this study showed that neighbors are staying away from others and that is a sad situation.

Let’s look into what the Parable of the Good Samaritan was. It’s one of the most familiar stories Jesus told, and one of the most quietly demanding. It started with a lawyer who asked Jesus a question so he could justify himself, saying: “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus didn’t answer with a definition! Instead, he answered with a story that most of us know very well. Here’s the moment it turns and changes lives:

“Later, a religious man, a Levite, came walking down the same road and likewise crossed to the other side to pass by the wounded man without stopping to help him. “Finally, another man, a Samaritan, came upon the bleeding man and was moved with tender compassion for him. He stooped down and gave him first aid, pouring olive oil on his wounds, disinfecting them with wine, and bandaging them to stop the bleeding. Lifting him up, he placed him on his own donkey and brought him to an inn. Then he took him from his donkey and carried him to a room for the night. The next morning, he took his own money from his wallet and gave it to the innkeeper with these words: ‘Take care of him until I come back from my journey. If it costs more than this, I will repay you when I return.”

In this episode, Jesus literally shatters the common conception of a neighbor by telling a parable in which a despised Samaritan turns out to be the true neighbor because he reaches out in love and self-sacrifice to his enemy. That’s the reversal at the heart of this parable. Not a definition of neighbor—but a demonstration of one!

The Samaritan who saw this wounded man took pity on him. He had Pity and Compassion, not obligation. For him, it was not a duty. Instead, it was the kind of mercy that crosses every boundary that love might be tempted to draw to.

These questions are worth sitting with before you move on today. Who knows when you may encounter someone in need. Can you step in and help or is something keeping you from stopping and showing mercy? How would you feel if you were hurt and no one stopped to help?

Let’s go back to the question I put out above: “Who is my neighbor and why is it so important to know my neighbor?” Think about this and then get into action. Do one concrete act of compassion, mercy, and God’s grace. And remember, it’s not duty, it’s the love God gives us to give others! AMEN.