Jesus told the story of the Jewish traveller who was robbed, beaten, and left to die on the Jericho road. Two Jews, both in the ministry, walked past him without helping. Then a Samaritan rescued him. No race of people was more hated by the Jewish people than the Samaritans. They were openly cursed in the synagogue and were barred from temple worship. What this Samaritan does is nothing less than incredible. He utilises all his resources – personal clothing, oil, wine, his time, animal, money, and energy – to attend to this Jewish man in the best way possible. Then he risks his life by taking the wounded man to lodging in a Jewish area. On top of it all, he pays the innkeeper for the man’s food and room for many days and promises to return and pay for anything more the man owes. This was crucial because anyone who could not pay their bill could be sold as a slave by the innkeepers so that they could receive full payment for a debt. Jesus ends His story in these words: ‘Which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?’ No law will ever cause you to be a good neighbour, but the love of Christ will. You see, a neighbour is not identified by colour or creed; a neighbour is identified by the nearest need. So, here is a prayer for you to pray: ‘Lord, give me the courage to recognise and help a neighbour in need.’ That’s a prayer He will answer!
