Who is My Neighbour?--The answer which Jesus gave to this question
(Luke 10:29), which a certain lawyer asked of Him in order to justify
himself, shows the true relation of man to man.
The lawyer doubtless supposed when he put this question to Jesus that
he would silence Him. The Jews in their proud isolation considered
themselves the chosen people of God and despised other races, even
looking with a certain contempt upon their Roman conquerors. How would
the Jewish Messiah, if not put to silence, answer a question like
this? Doubtless the reply would be that only a Jew could be neighbour
to a Jew. The race spirit is a strong one and men born to a certain
nationality have many stout binding ties of speech and customs, which
are not easily broken.
Mark, however, the large mindedness of Jesus. He breaks at once
through race ties and without so much as mentioning the Jew, he takes
the Samaritan as the example of a good neighbour. Now the Jews and the
Samaritans had no dealings with each other, their animosity was well
known; at this distance of time we can hardly realize how startling a
thing it was to take a Samaritan as an example of a good
neighbour. But it is right here that Jesus begins to show us the true
relation of man to man and that this relation is superior to race,
caste, language, social distinctions, customs and organizations.
My neighbour, then, is not only the man who lives next door, or is in
the same business, or belongs to the same church or labour
organization, or political party, but all men are my neighbours and I
am to seek to do them good (Luke 10:30-37). This definition of
neighbour does away with all clannishness and exclusiveness, and man
comes face to face with his fellow man as a man.
How Shall I Treat My Neighbour?--A number of answers may be given:
1. Investigate the claims of my neighbour when I see him in a sad
condition. The good Samaritan did this at considerable personal risk,
for he could be by no means sure that the robbers would not return and
rob him. Too many men, when they see their neighbours in want, pass by
on the other side, as the priest and Levite did. Adversity has been
described as "a deep pit, into which a man has fallen, which is
surrounded by his near-sighted friends."
2. Sympathize and succour my neighbour in trouble and do what is
needed to help him get upon his feet.
3. Interest myself in the well being of my neighbour after the
immediate and acute necessity for aid is past. There are many who are
willing to aid when a pressing call comes, but who are unwilling to
keep up that aid through the convalescing stage; here is where the
summons comes to be not weary in well doing to one's neighbour.
Outside of money help and aid in times of disaster and sickness there
are many who are lonesome for words of cheer and acts of kindness on
the part of those with whom they daily come in contact. There is a
deeper meaning in the parable than that which relates to physical
pain. There is a suffering of the soul and a mental trouble which
beseech the kindness of the Christlike neighbourly touch.
4. There is also the larger work, which is fundamental, of bringing
one's fellow man into the fellowship and communion of Jesus Christ;
this is the greatest benefit which any Christian man can confer upon
his brother-man (John 1:40-42,45).