Luke 9 Who is your neighbor?

Dr. Luke recorded this sad tale to capture our attention and cause us to reflect on that question and it is as relevant today as was in the day of Jesus. How does one define neighbor and what are your and my responsibilities to those in need as this traveler was. It is easy to give excuses why you don’t need to help anyone in need. I am too busy, maybe tomorrow I can help. I don’t have the means to help a person like this one or someone else can help better than me and on and on. We are good at excusing our actions but one day we will stand before God and He will ask us did you help your neighbor? 

Real life lesson: Recently our neighbor’s car failed as she was backing out and the car was half way in the street. It was also garbage day and as her car rolled down she had hit the garbage can of our other neighbor. I went over to ask if she was all right and then what can I do to help. After that, I went to the other neighbor whose can was lopsided and he just stared at me, and helped me right the can but he never asked about the neighbor. Odd right? I got my husband and together we got the car pushed up in the driveway and called her husband. So which one was the true neighbor. By the way, my husband helped get her car started. 

How often is the case in real life today and this Jewish man that Luke recorded experienced my neighbor who offered no help at all. One day we will have to answer God to that same question. How about you?