Who Is My Neighbour?
Allan Gerh
We have all had good neighbors and bad neighbors. What has been your best and worst neighbour experience? Well, Jesus was once asked a question about who a neighbor is.
Read: Luke 10:25-37
What is interesting about this story is that it was not the religious leader or the highly involved church person who came to this guy’s rescue, but someone considered to be on the fringes spiritually. Jews were openly hostile to Samaritans and considered them foreigners and imposters. The Samaritan went to the injured man, bandaged his wound, poured oil and wine on them, put him on his donkey, took him to an inn, took care of him and paid the innkeeper to look after him.
What do we learn about grace from the good Samaritan?
1. He felt compassion and acted on his compassion without concern for his own well being
2. He had to get his hands dirty: The samaritan had to touch him, pick him up and assess his injuries.
3. He took a risk: He shared his life in a way that made him transparent and vulnerable.
My one point in this message is that real grace takes risks.
What are some of the situations you have not shown compassion to those around you? Why do you find it hard to get involved? How do you respond to those around you in situations of divorce, addictions, depression, mental illnesses? The Christian response to almost every situation is I will remember you in prayer. It will take more than prayer.
On the other hand those who have issues need to get to the place where we say ‘I am struggling with this and I really really need help’. Many of us are too afraid and too ashamed to allow others to help us. So we have learned how to hide our wounds and bleeding so well. Authentic people need to bare their hearts and say this is where the Lord has brought me from. Whatever you are struggling with, let us walk together.
The church has been a great source of hurt to many people. Many of us pastors have behaved like the priest and levite; Rushing to fulfill our obligations at the temple at the expense of helping those who have fallen by the wayside. For my own self and for our team, allow me to apologize for the times you may have felt like you were brushed aside and not listened to by me or by any of our pastors here. I also want to say it will take all of God’s people caring for one another to get the job done.
REAL GRACE TAKES RISKS
We had an interview with Mr. Ibrahim Gathungu – founder of i-Stopped campaign that helps men and women in addictive habits to find a solution through practical ways such as counselling, rehabilitation material and mentoring. http://istopped.wordpress.com