That’s the question that launches one of Jesus’ most unsettling stories: the parable of the Good Samaritan.
We sit with the uncomfortable reality that the “religious” people in the story—the ones who should’ve known better—walk right past a wounded man. Not because they were heartless villains, but because they had reasons. Plausible ones. Familiar ones.
- “I’m not supposed to touch blood or a dead body.”
- “He’s not like me—wrong class, wrong group.”
- “That road is dangerous… he knew what he was doing.”
- “It’s not safe. It’s not my responsibility.”
And then comes the surprise: the neighbor is the one everyone expected least—someone from a “lesser” culture with an incomplete theological background—yet he becomes the living example of love.
This message isn’t just about identifying who counts as our neighbor. It’s about something sharper:
The real question isn’t “Who is my neighbor?”
It’s “Am I being a neighbor?”
Text Reading (Luke 10:25–37)
- Lawyer tests Jesus → Jesus turns it back: “What is written? How do you read it?”
- Summary of the Law: Love God fully + love your neighbor as yourself
- The lawyer tries to narrow it: “Who is my neighbor?”
- Parable: Priest passes, Levite passes, Samaritan stops—compassion, care, cost, follow-through.
- Jesus’ punchline: “Go and constantly do the same.”
Jesus cares less about labels and more about lifestyle
- Jesus isn’t impressed by “name-only” faith; he asks: Will you live like me?
- The lawyer answers correctly, but Jesus pushes toward habitual obedience, not trivia.
- Tie-in: John 17 definition—eternal life = knowing God (relationship, character, closeness).
Transition line: “The real question isn’t just ‘what do I believe?’ but ‘what does my belief make me become?’”
Love God with “muchness” (all-in)
- The Shema is not shallow: heart, soul, mind, strength—everything.
- “Muchness” = full-life devotion, not distracted devotion.
- Connection to rich young ruler: “one thing you lack” = not loving God with entirety.
Application question: Where is my “one thing” that keeps me from full-love?
“Neighbor” is not a category—it’s an action
- The neighbor debate: for many, “neighbor” = people like me (same circle, same background).
- Word insight from the sermon: neighbor → God’s presence dwelling near (God becomes a neighbor; we’re called to be that presence).
- The parable exposes the heart:
- Two religious insiders see and still pass by.
- The outsider sees, is moved, stops, touches, pays, returns.
Key line: “Real love notices. Real love slows down. Real love steps into pain.”
Why we pass by (and how Jesus confronts it)
A) Bad theology → superiority
- “Chosen” can turn into exclusive, judgy distance instead of compassionate engagement.
- Jesus doesn’t stay in the temple; he walks with people.
B) Busy, tired, self-preserving living
- Schedules, exhaustion, winter cocooning—“me time” becomes a shield.
- Discipleship still includes self-denial—intentional plans to notice people.
C) Lack of mercy
- We assume “they had it coming” or “their choices did this,” so we withhold compassion.
- Hard mirror: If God treated you like that, where would you be?
What it looks like to “neighbor” someone
From the sermon’s practical list:
- Be present (attention is love in action).
- Practice empathy: listen, judge less, understand more.
- Serve consistently and give generously.
- Build bridges (the world doesn’t need self-preserving religion; it needs self-giving love).
- Hospitality as mission (meals, openness, sharing real life).
One-sentence definition: “A neighbor is anyone in need—and being a neighbor costs something.”
Illustrations (choose 1–2)
- Daryl Davis story (as told in the sermon): meeting extremists with “extreme listening,” becoming a neighbor, catalyzing change.
- Mister Rogers “Won’t you be my neighbor?” as a modern echo of the human longing to belong and be seen.
- Public transit/headphones image: people physically near, emotionally distant—who’s beside you that’s bleeding inside?
Landing the Plane (2–3 min)
- Re-state the twist from the sermon:
- Not only “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” but “Who must I be?”
- Call to response: “This week, don’t just define ‘neighbor.’ Become one.”
Concrete “Do This This Week” Challenge
Pick one (keep it simple so it actually happens):
- Learn the name of one literal neighbor/coworker you don’t know well and ask one real question.
- Set aside one hour this week to help someone in a practical way (ride, meal, errand, check-in).
- Invite one person into your life (coffee, meal, walk) and listen more than you talk.