Who is our neighbor?  A lawyer once asked Jesus this question, and in response, Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan.  Did Jesus answer the lawyer’s question?  Yes, and no.

The parable of the good Samaritan is the story of a man who is robbed, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the highway.  Two Jewish religious leaders pass by the man on their travels and do nothing to help him.  Then a Samaritan comes along and helps the man.  He takes him to an inn and covers every expense for his care.  This would have been a shock to Jesus’ Jewish audience because the Samaritans were a people considered enemies by the Jews.  Jesus then asks his audience, who was a neighbor to the man in need?  The Samaritan of course.  Then Jesus says “Go, and do thou likewise.”

So Jesus did answer the question, but probably not in the way the lawyer expected.  He didn’t define a neighbor by who someone is or where they come from, but by what they do.  If a Samaritan can be your neighbor, then everyone is your neighbor, and should be treated as such.

This week’s Wednesday night testimony meeting explores how we can be a good neighbor, and pray for our neighbors.  Join us on October 7th at 7:30pm for readings from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook as well as testimonies of healing.  

Can’t come in person? Join us on the phone:

Dial-in Number: 1-310-372-7549
Access Code: 607611