“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind.’ This is the primary and best commandment. And the second is prefer it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was once more being tested by the teachers of the law. One asked him, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life? (v. 10:25). Jesus then asked the person what he read within the Law. Of course, the person answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your strength and with all of your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (v. 10:27)
Jesus told him he had answered appropriately – and to achieve this, he would live. Seemingly unsatisfied, the expert continued and asked, “And who’s my neighbor?”
“In reply, Jesus said: “A person was taking place from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be taking place the identical road, and when he saw the person, he passed by on the opposite side. So, too, a Levite, when he got here to the place and saw him, passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, got here where the person was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the person on his donkey, brought him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and once I return, I’ll reimburse you for any extra expense you will have.’” – Luke 10:25-35
What is somewhat shocking is that Jesus had made a Samaritan the hero of the parable. The Samaritans were not only hated by the Jews but considered to be lowlifes. Certainly, knowing the stir that will result, Jesus dissed the priest and the Levite—representing pillars of the Jewish community—and set the Samaritan an example to be followed—an example for all of us to follow. Of course, the story of the great Samaritan has resulted in a standard phrase—even unknowingly utilized by non-believers. The name has been applied to health organizations, churches, and international relief organizations reminiscent of Samaritan’s Purse. Many states even have “good Samaritan laws” that allow individuals on the scene of an emergency to render aid without being sued for his or her actions.
On the scene of an emergency – rendering aid to an entire stranger because they need assistance. We know nothing about them, only that they need assistance and can’t help themselves. And in that situation – we’re to specific to them the love of God inside us. Perhaps there, state governments have unknowingly answered the query asked by the legal expert: “Who is my neighbor?”
What Does it Mean to Love God and Love Others?
We hear many Christians speak about “loving God and loving others.” Pastors preach about it. Songs are written about it. And quite rightly so – Jesus declared these to be the best commandments. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:27) Sometimes it’s put this manner: we’re to “love our neighbor as we’re to like ourselves.”
Yet…it’s one thing to speak about all this and yet quite one other to live it out in on a regular basis life, isn’t it? Of course, loving God is pretty clear, right? But perhaps the teacher of the law raised a legitimate query when he asked: who exactly is our neighbor, and the way are we imagined to love them? Let’s face it: a lot of our “neighbors” are unlovable. They might imagine the identical about us. But isn’t that precisely the purpose?
When asked, Jesus was quoting specifically from Leviticus 19:18. This meant the Jews of the day may need understood their neighbor to be fellow Israelites. But Jesus’ teaching has a much wider application in mind. Loving our neighbor is rather more than loving those we like, or those that like us or are like us, or those we go to church with. Much greater than loving those that love us in return. Even Leviticus taught that in verses 19:9-10:
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, don’t reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes which have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I’m the Lord your God.”
“Leave them for the poor and the foreigner.” In today’s words – help out those that are struggling. The poor and the stranger – the foreigner – are all our neighbors. Jesus taught that our neighbor is just about anyone God places in our path with whom we are able to share God’s love. Yes – even the one whose politics you discover abhorrent.
“But I let you know, love your enemies and pray for individuals who persecute you, that it’s possible you’ll be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the great, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you like those that love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And in case you greet only your personal people, what are you doing greater than others? Do not even pagans do this? Be perfect, due to this fact, as your heavenly Father is ideal. ” Matthew 5:44-47
What Is Biblical Love?
Biblically speaking, love is how we act, not necessarily how we feel. We are to like others as we love ourselves. Jesus forged it as what we call the “golden rule” – despite the fact that many don’t understand it comes from the Bible:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength.’ The second is that this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There isn’t any commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31
Jesus also taught us to like others as he has loved us : “A latest command I offer you: Love each other. As I even have loved you, so you should love each other. By this everyone will know that you just are my disciples, in case you love each other.” (John 13:34-35) How did Jesus love us? Easy – sacrifice. He gave up himself for us. He healed even those he didn’t know. He fed hundreds upon hundreds. He died for us even while we were still sinners.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us on this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Verse 10 says it more bluntly – “…while we were God’s enemies…” In the Old Testament book of Micah, the prophet was talking about sacrifices before a holy God, to which he said this:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is sweet. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to like mercy and to walk humbly together with your God.” – Micah 6:8
To act justly and love mercy. This is acting in love. Compassion, honesty and justice in our relationships with others. Refusal to bear a grudge. Willingness to forgive as now we have been forgiven. An effort to reconcile with anyone with whom we could have a difficulty – by going on to her or him.
“So in every part, do to others what you’ll have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”- Matthew 7:12
Recently I even have heard this expressed one other, quite compelling, way. We should treat others as we might have God treat us.
What Did Jesus Mean by “Go and Do Likewise?”
We must keep in mind that showing true love doesn’t mean agreeing with every part our neighbors say or do. It doesn’t mean we try to achieve their approval or hope to get something in return. We express God’s love when now we have compassion and help meet their must the extent we are able to. The Samaritan expressed true love by looking for to do what was best for the person he didn’t know. This was when two who considered themselves men of God had simply passed him up. At the tip of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked the expert within the law,
“Which of those three do you’re thinking that was a neighbor to the person who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert within the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Indeed – a message for all of us. We are to go and do likewise. James, the brother of Jesus, called it the “royal law.”
“If you actually keep the royal law present in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you might be doing right.” – James 2:8
We love our neighbor when we are able to share God’s truth. After all, Jesus alone can truly save and meet their real needs. But sometimes God’s truth—God’s love—is expressed best not only in words but in how we live our lives, in our actions. We act toward others with a heart that first loves God. Then, we love our neighbors out of the abundance of God’s love for us. When we do that, we love our neighbors as we do ourselves, as now we have been loved.
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