By Daniel R. Vess
Several years ago a company advertised that "like a good neighbor" they would be there for its customers. Just what does it take to be a good neighbor? Jesus in response to a question by a lawyer described several characteristics of a good neighbor. Although this lawyer asked "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responded with the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). By doing so Jesus implied that the real question should be "Am I a good neighbor?", instead of "Who is my neighbor?"
A GOOD NEIGHBOR MUST TAKE RISK.
The Priest and Levite may have thought: "He might already be dead. The robbers may still be in the area. Why risk two dead men?" Some could have argued that the Samaritan was courting disaster. Even today, robbers will stage events, and then pounce upon unwary rescuers. The Samaritan's bravery and compassion triumphed over these fears.
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR IS PART OF TRUE RELIGION.
Both of the men who passed on by were Jews with a special obligation to be good examples in obeying the Law. Like the lawyer this Priest and Levite knew the Law. The same Law which urged benevolence even to a beast (Ex. 23:4,5). Assuming these temple servants were returning from Jerusalem to Jericho it would appear they had left God back in the temple. Far too often, God's children have become so engrossed with the mechanics of religion that they have failed to practice it in their daily walk of life (Mt. 23:23).
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR INVOLVES INCONVENIENCE.
Priests and Levites were important members of the Jewish community. They were busy men with many urgent concerns. The fact is there will always be other things to do. No one is going to schedule a robbery in order to fit your busy schedule. Christianity was never meant to be practiced upon the basis of a convenient season (Ac. 24:25).
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR INCLUDES ALL MEN.
The Lawyer's attitude would have eliminated a Samaritan from being a neighbor to a Jew. "The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (Jn. 4:9). It was particularly repugnant that Jesus mold the hated Samaritan in the guise of the good guy. However, the Law of Moses did contain abundant teaching on caring for strangers (Dt. 10:16-19; Lev. 19:33,34).
We are to be a good neighbor to all men regardless of their race, color, education, economic condition, religion, etc. Like the Good Samaritan we should aspire to aid our fellow man without investigating these areas of his life.
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR IS NOT LIMITED TO LOCATION.
Most people only think of a neighbors as those who live next door. "Nearness does not make neighborliness." It is not place but love that draws the boundaries of ones neighborhood. The Samaritan was a neighbor because "he came to where he was". This parable expands the size of our neighborhood. Our neighbor is as close as the next person in need who crosses our path.
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR INVOLVES SHOWING COMPASSION.
What made the Good Samaritan good? It wasn't just a feeling of sympathy for the man's plight. Perhaps, the Priest and Levite felt for the man, yet passed by. However, the Samaritan showed compassion by becoming involved in his circumstance. The Samaritan cared for his injuries, lifted the man onto his own donkey, led him to the nearest inn, and arranged for him to recover there. There is a vast difference in simply feeling for a man, or giving him something, and in seeking to show compassion by our action.
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR CAN BE COSTLY.
Not only can being a good neighbor be risky and inconvenient, it can be costly. The Samaritan left two denarii with the innkeeper for the care of the victim. This may not seem like much to us, but it was equivalent to two days' pay. The Priest and Levite displayed the attitude: "What's mine is mine". Such people would not kill a man for his money, but neither will they spend theirs to rescue him. On the other hand, the Christ-like attitude is: "What's yours is yours and what's mine is God's and will be there for you if you need it".
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR FULFILLS THE COMMANDMENTS OF LOVE.
Jesus had the lawyer answer his own question concerning what must be done to inherit eternal life. He correctly told Jesus "'You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind' and 'your neighbor as yourself'" (v. 27). Thus, the motivation behind being a good neighbor is the commandment to love. Love conquers all the obstacles which keep men from becoming good neighbors.
Remember that the lawyer had asked Jesus, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus' parable demonstrated his need to love his neighbor and concluded His remarks to him by saying, "Go and do likewise". Therefore, in order to obtain eternal life one must examine whether or not he is living like a good neighbor.