| Thursday, January 27 Defining "Neighbor" And the second [great commandment] is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 22:39 The Pharisees in Jesus' day were always looking for a loophole in the law. For instance, they had a tradition that allowed them to avoid giving funds for the care of their parents if the money had already been promised to God. Jesus did not look kindly on setting aside the commands of God for the sake of religious tradition (Mark 7:8-13). And when it came to obeying the command to love one's neighbor (Luke 10:29), they were quick to ask Jesus, "And just who, exactly, is our neighbor?" In reply, Jesus told the story that is now known throughout the world: the parable of the Good Samaritan--a man who stopped to take care of an injured traveler after two religious leaders had passed him by. We can summarize Jesus' definition of "neighbor" this way: Your neighbor is anyone who has a need that you are able to meet. The definition has nothing to do with them living next door. It only has to do with their need and your ability to meet the need. Think of those God has put in the path of your life. If you can think of one person with a need you have resources to meet, that person is your neighbor--a person to love as you love yourself. If my heart is right with God, every human being is my neighbor.
Oswald Chambers Read-Thru-the-Bible
Exodus 31:1-34:35  | 
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