A Good Neighbor

Read: Luke 10:25-37

Which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? --- Luke 10:36

The Bible In One Year:
Numbers 17-19
Mark 6:30-56

When Fred Rogers died February 27, 2003, scores of newspapers carried the story as front-page news, and almost every headline included the word neighbor. As host of the long-running children's television show Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, he was well known to millions of children adn their parents as a kind, gentle, warm person who genuinely believed "each person is special, deep inside, just the way they are."

Mr. Rogers once told a journalist: "When we look at our neighbor with appreciative eyes, ... with gratitude for who that person truly is, then I feel we are arm in arm with Christ Jesus, the advocate of eternal good." Because Rogers recognized the value of each person, he believed in being a good neighbor to all.

When Jesus was wask, "Who is my neighbor?" He told the parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:29-35]. At the conclusion of this story, the Lord asked, "Which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" The answer? "He who showed mercy on him" [vv.36-37].

Who in our "neighborhood" needs a kind word, an arm of friendship, or an act of encouragement today? Jesus calls us to show love and compassion to others as we love God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. --- David McCasland

How many lives shall I touch today?
How many neighbors will pass my way?
I can bless so many and help so much
If I meet each one with a Christlike touch. --- Jones

YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR IS PROOF OF YOUR LOVE FOR GOD.