We are told to love our neighbor.  It’s a biblical command. It’s one of foundations of the great commandment.

We are to love our neighbor.

But, as we are going to read this morning, there is a question.  Who is my neighbor?  Who am I to love? What does loving that neighbor look like? What should we be doing?

Listen to this story Jesus told, one you’ve heard a million times. But, listen to again.  Stop, breathe, and listen.  As if you are listening for the first time.

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

You’ve heard many sermons on this, read many devotionals on this, I’m sure. There are so many points to notice, so many things been said of importance, so many concepts here that can change our walk with God and with each other.

But today, notice the neighbor was not someone who the Samaritan even knew.  It was a stranger who was in need.  It was a man, simply in need, that he had passed by.

And he stopped to help.

Today, who is your neighbor? Maybe it’s the coworker that is having a bad day.

Maybe it’s the classmate that just failed that test.

Maybe it’s your spouse who you had an argument with.

Maybe it’s your elderly parent.

Maybe is just a guy or gal on the street with a long face.

Today, in your life, there will be someone who is need of some sort. Don’t be blind to it.  The hard part is not that there aren’t neighbors in need all around us.  The hard part is slowing ourselves down long enough to see.

Today, look.  Listen.  Pray. Seek.  Who is your neighbor?  Who is the one in you life, or in your path, that needs the grace that you can give?

Who is you neighbor?  The text says show them mercy.  May we go and do likewise.