The Pharisees were always trying to trick Jesus. Or perhaps find loop holes for themselves. We still try to use Jesus to justify our own actions.
Love my neighbor as myself? Pfft. So is it just one person? The house on the right or left of me? I like them so that's ok. Who is my neighbor, Jesus?
Jesus replied in a story. A parable. He often taught in common situations with far broader meanings. This time, he spoke of the overwhelming and irrational love of a Samaritan. (Luke 10:30)
They must've been aghast listening to it. Samaritans! Mixed race lowlifes. Every good Jewish person knew well to go the long way around Samaria instead of running through THAT area. Scum. They were dirty people. Probably dangerous criminals. Thugs. How's this thug the hero of the story? I cannot possibly love them as myself because that would require me to change how I view their worth.
This isn't new. We assign worth regularly. Don't believe me? A while back, a post I shared on how to help families pay off school lunch bills went totally crazy. I was informed many times that these people weren't worth helping. Every year people flip out about extra school supplies going to other people. Often folks look in the bowl of others to complain about what they have, instead of making sure they have enough. Would we rather see terrorists come to know Christ or be blown up? Our reactions to these things say a lot about how we view God. Crazy, right?
Jesus was pretty clear: this isn't about you at all. It's not about me, either. It's about loving God and loving others. It's about making sure you care for others the very way you would yourself. All others. Even those you would deem unworthy. Aren't we all unworthy when it comes to God?
As I learn more and more about following Jesus, I constantly see ways that I fall short. Truly, I am in desperate need of His grace, forgiveness, and mercy daily. I stink at loving others as much as myself.
However, when we have a very obvious opportunity to stand for love and against hate, we shouldn't miss it. Our witness depends on us calling out hate & evil clearly. I cannot think of anything more evil than the mindset that captured and tortured my grandfather in WWII. The mindset that tortured and killed millions of Jewish people, homosexuals, mentally & physically handicapped, and anyone who isn't like them. The mindset that held millions of slaves, sold them as property, worked them to death, raped, beat, and hung people of color. Those who yelled against desegregated schools, complained about white and black couples, and those who threaten to drive through those protesting this very thought process.
These all weren't and aren't monsters. They were and are regular people, like you and me, who bought into a monstrous ideology. We do, too, every time we deem someone less. Every time we let the N word slip. Every time you dismiss someone for their skin, race, disability, who they love, or what they wear. Every time we see someone's worth as less than created in the image of God.
Love your neighbor as yourself - Jesus
