⏱ 5 min read

• I wonder how it will be to have Jesus living in my hood. How would He be tagged?
• The loud neighbour? rich, nosy, friendly, angry neighbour? The neighbour who sends people?
• Well, today we will share what it would be like to have Jesus living in your hood.

“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” ~ Luke 10:36‭-‬37

In this popular parable of the Good Samaritan, the wounded man was viewed in different ways by different people. I want you to ponder on the following a bit and I pray the Holy Spirit speaks to you on it:

1. The expert of the law viewed him as a topic for discussion;
2. The robbers (bandits) viewed him as a victim to exploit;
3. The Priest viewed him as a problem to avoid (mercy);
4. The Levite viewed him as an object of curiosity (mercy Lord!)
5. Only the Samaritan treated him as a person to love (Dear Lord, help us to be like the Samaritan).

We learn three principles about loving our neighbour from this parable:
(1) lack of love (compassion) is often easy to justify, even though it is never right;
(2) our neighbour is anyone of any race, ethnicity, or social background who is in need;
(3) love means acting to meet the person’s needs. Wherever we are, people in need are close by. Let's not “cross to the other side.” Instead, let's show Jesus’ love to them.

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Before we end, I want to share with you three perspectives described in the parable that one of my mothers in the Lord (Lady Ps Dr Dr Ama Amuasi) shared with us sometime back:

Perspective 1: What is yours is mine! (the robbers)

The robbers were takers and made their living from what belonged to others. Greed, covetuosness and evil make us this way. Four things they did: stripped him of his clothing (dignity); wounded him; departed; and left him half-dead (v30).

Perspective 2: What is mine is mine! (The Priest and Levite)

• Most of us may not be like the robbers; we may fall here. Inherently, we are selfish in nature. We hold on tight to things; not caring about others (v31-32).
• I also believe the priest and levite looked on and passed to the other side under the ‘tag’ of avoiding ‘pollution’ for their religious duties; according to their laws.
• Jesus is teaching us to reject religion that neglects a deed of mercy and think about others.

Perspective 3: What is mine is not mine; for freely I receive, freely I give! (v33)

This is the perspective God has for us (Romans 5:8) and He calls us to share in this. I believe Jesus is that compassionate Samaritan (neighbour) in the story; applying the oil and the wine.

• He meets us broken and wounded; deep in sin; bandages our wounds, and anoints us (what a blessing!).
• Jesus picks us up, cleanses us and anoints us with oil and grace; which restores our dignity and empowers us. Now we can serve Him and do something for God.
• The universal church is the inn and we are the innkeepers. Jesus gave the innkeepers (you & I) the ability to be able to take care of the people He brings.

This is why He has given us gifts, talents, and ability – to care for the wounded and serve His body. Are you taking care of the wounded? Are you taking care of the broken? Or are you the one breaking them?

Dear friend, we have work to do! “Whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Whatever more you do for my people, I see it, I take note of it, and I will bless you for it.

• The gathering of souls for Jesus; the care for the souls; the use of your money to be a blessing…
• The calls of encouragement; the prayers you invest in their lives; the songs you minister to them…
• The Bible studies to teach them the word, etc. Whatever it is, God sees and He rewards! Heyy… you’re blessed!