Skip to main content

Reflections on Scripture || Who Is My Neighbour? (Luke 10:25-37)

Who Is My Neighbour? - A Reflection on Luke 10:25-37

Who Is My Neighbour?

A Reflection on Luke 10:25-37

It’s always a dangerous thing to ask a question. How we ask it, and who we ask it of, makes all the difference. When it comes to the Gospels, asking a question of Jesus can lead you down a road you didn’t expect—and that’s exactly what happens in Luke 10:25-37.

This passage begins with a question posed by an expert in the law:

"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus, in His usual fashion, doesn’t answer directly. Instead, He responds with a question of His own, turning it back on the expert:

"What is written in the law? How do you read it?"

The expert, knowing the law well, responds with the words from Deuteronomy:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself."

But the conversation doesn’t end there. Seeking to justify himself, the expert asks another question:

"Who is my neighbour?"

And in response, Jesus tells a story that has become one of the most famous in all of Scripture—the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The Road to Jericho: A Dangerous Journey

Jesus begins the story by describing a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho, a notoriously treacherous road known for its danger. Along the way, the man is attacked by robbers, stripped of his clothing, beaten, and left half-dead on the side of the road.

What happens next is shocking—especially for the original listeners of this story. A priest comes along, sees the man in need, and crosses to the other side of the road, avoiding him altogether. A Levite does the same thing. Both religious figures, who should have been the first to help, pass by without lifting a finger.

It’s an uncomfortable image, isn’t it? Religious leaders, people held in high esteem in society, walking past someone in desperate need. Their outward observance of the law meant nothing when it came to showing love and compassion. As I reflected on this, I couldn’t help but think how easy it is for us to fall into the same trap today. We can go through all the right motions, but if our hearts aren’t moved with compassion for others, we’ve missed the point.

The Unexpected Hero: A Scandalous Compassion

Then comes the twist in the story: a Samaritan comes down the road. To say this was unexpected is an understatement. Jews and Samaritans had a long history of animosity. The Samaritan was the last person anyone listening to Jesus would have expected to be the hero of this story.

And yet, it is the Samaritan who stops. He sees the wounded man and has compassion on him. He bandages the man’s wounds, pours oil and wine on them, places him on his own donkey, and brings him to an inn to take care of him. He even goes as far as paying for the man’s continued care, promising to return and cover any additional expenses.

This Samaritan—a figure who would have been despised and rejected by many of the people listening—becomes the embodiment of Christ-like love and mercy. His actions go above and beyond what anyone would have expected, and in doing so, he shows what it really means to love one’s neighbour.

A Call to Action: Go and Do Likewise

At the end of the story, Jesus turns to the expert in the law and asks him a simple question:

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert replies, "The one who had mercy on him." Notice that he doesn’t even say "the Samaritan." And Jesus, in His final words on the matter, gives a command:

"Go and do likewise."

This is where the real challenge lies. It’s not enough to just know the right answers. It’s not enough to just follow the religious rules. What Jesus calls us to is a radical, active love—one that breaks down barriers, crosses the road to meet those in need, and extends mercy even to those we might consider our enemies.

What Does This Mean for Us?

As I reflected on this story, I was struck by how easily we can fall into the mindset of the priest or the Levite. We can be so caught up in our own lives, our own religious practices, that we forget the heart of what it means to follow Christ: loving God with everything we have and loving our neighbour as ourselves.

This parable is a reminder that our love for God is inseparable from our love for others. It’s not just about having the right beliefs or following the right rules; it’s about letting God’s love transform our hearts so that we can show that same love to the people around us—especially those who are in need.

And who is our neighbour? The answer is clear: it’s anyone we come across in our daily lives who needs help. There’s no limit to the love we’re called to show, no boundary that we can place on God’s mercy.

Moving Forward: Living Out the Good Samaritan

So, as we go about our lives, the challenge for us is to “go and do likewise.” To be people of compassion, mercy, and love in a world that desperately needs it. Whether that’s through small acts of kindness, showing up for a friend in need, or helping a stranger, we are called to embody the love of Christ in every aspect of our lives.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan isn’t just a nice story—it’s a call to action. A call to love our neighbour, not just in word, but in deed.

So, who is your neighbour? And how will you show them the love of Christ today?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SPB Sermons || Sent Like the Son || JOhn 20:19-23

Sent Like the Son – Family Worship at SPB Belfast (Sunday 27th April 2025) On the evening of Easter Sunday, as fear gripped the disciples behind locked doors, Jesus appeared among them and spoke the words they most needed to hear: "Peace be with you." At St Paul’s & St Barnabas this Sunday, we reflected on John 20:19-31 and the incredible transformation that the resurrection brings — not just to history, but to our hearts and lives today. We joined the disciples in their fear and doubt, seeing how even the testimony of Mary Magdalene couldn’t unlock their fear. Yet no locked door could keep out the risen Christ. Jesus appeared, scars and all, speaking peace into their brokenness. His scars weren't signs of defeat, but emblems of the victory won at the Cross — a reminder that by His wounds, we are healed. Jesus did not come to rebuke His followers, but to comfort them with His presence, speak peace into their hearts, and to co...

SPB Sermons || John 20:24-31 || An Invitation For All To See ||

The Invitation Still Stands John 20:24–31 | Holy Communion | Sunday, 6 May 2025 In this deeply personal and reflective message, Rev. Andrew Irwin explores one of the most well-known and misunderstood figures in the resurrection story — Thomas. Often labelled "doubting," Thomas is shown instead as honest, wounded, and longing for truth. His absence at Jesus' first appearance leaves him reeling in a sea of sorrow, having missed not only the risen Christ but also the peace and power the others received. Still, Jesus returns — not with rebuke, but with compassion. And in that grace-filled encounter, Thomas makes one of the clearest declarations of faith in all Scripture: "My Lord and my God." The sermon challenges the assumptions we carry about doubt, showing us that Jesus is not afraid of our honesty. Like Thomas, we are often shaped by pain, disappointment, and questions, yet we are also invited to bring them to Jesus — whose scar...

SPB Sermons || A Vision of Worship and Witness || Revelation 7:9-17

A Vision of Worship and Witness A Vision of Worship and Witness At St Paul’s & St Barnabas, we were invited this week to lift our eyes and hearts to a bigger reality — the heavenly vision found in Revelation 7. In this powerful passage, the apostle John sees a great multitude gathered around the throne, worshipping the Lamb. This vision is not only a promise of what is to come, but a mirror of what the church is called to be today. Revelation 7 offers us two things: a vision of what is and a vision of what should be . It begins with worship — people from every tribe, tongue, and nation united in adoration of Jesus. This is not an abstract hope, but something we are already tasting. As we look around our congregation in North Belfast, we see glimpses of that future now: different backgrounds, cultures, and stories gathered by grace around one Saviour. Worship is not limited to songs or liturgy — it is a way of life, marked by grace and fuelled ...