10/28/2025
We’re really good at shrinking the definition of “neighbor,” aren’t we?
If they look like us… agree with us… fit into our world — then we’ll care.
But Jesus blew that thinking wide open.
In His story of the Good Samaritan, the “religious” walked right past the need.
The outsider stopped.
He stepped in.
He got messy.
He showed mercy.
Here’s the heart-check:
Being a good neighbor doesn’t earn eternal life —
it flows from the grace we’ve already received.
When Jesus has shown you mercy, you don’t get to keep it for yourself.
Your neighbor is whoever God places in front of you today —
not just the ones who act, vote, talk, or worship like you.
We come to Jesus’ table as people in need —
saved only because He came close to us first.
So the question isn’t:
“Who is my neighbor?”
The real challenge is:
“Will I be a neighbor to the one in front of me?”
Let’s go and do likewise.
