Who is Jesus? Part 33 Who is my Neighbor?

 

Who is Jesus? Part 33 Who is my Neighbor?

The happenings in today's message are taken from the Gospel of Luke chapter 10.

Jesus had appointed 72 of His followers to go two by two and preach about believing on Jesus, the prophesied Messiah. They were also instructed to heal the sick and cast out demons using the Name of Jesus. The 72 returned rejoicing saying; “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”  And Jesus said to them, “Yes, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.  However, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

As Jesus continued to teach and minister, a young lawyer stood up to test him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you understand it?”  And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 

And Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

But the lawyer, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “Tell me, who is my neighbor?” 

As Jesus often did to explain, He replied with a story; “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and some robbers surrounded him, stripped off his clothes, beat him and left him half dead lying in the road.  Now as it so happened a priest was going down that road, and when he saw the injured man he gingerly pulled up his robe so as to not soil it, and crossed to the other side of the road. 

Soon a Levite approached but when he saw the wounded man, he also passed by on the other side. 

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where the man was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.  So he went to the injured man and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.

Then he carefully placed him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  And the next day he took out money which was about two days wages and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and if you spend more, I will repay you when I come back.’

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 

The young lawyer said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You are correct, now you go, and do likewise.”

The words of Jesus are good for us today, as we consider that when we see a person needing some help, we can do our best within our means to fulfill it.

As Jesus continued on his journey teaching and ministering, he entered the village of Bethany. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 

But Martha was distracted as she was busy with much serving her guests. And she went up to Jesus and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Please tell her to help me.”

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

So in today's message we have considered that as believers we can share with others that Jesus is the Messiah. And that we have authority using the name of Jesus to heal the sick, and in His name we can command the demons to leave; and especially we must rejoice that our names are written in heaven.

We must also consider that our neighbor is the person who needs our help and then do what we are able to assist them.

It is important that we always be reminded that no matter how busy we are doing those things that seem important to us, even helping our neighbor, we must also take time to sit at Jesus feet and learn more about Him and all He desires for us to do for Him.

A good way to do this is to meet with Jesus in the secret place. (a place of quiet where if possible you can be alone with God.) This means to set aside time early each morning to read your Bible, to praise Jesus and to be thankful for all He has done for you. - - -

Then you may ask Jesus'; “Lord what would you have me to do for you today ? Then quietly allow the Lord to speak to you in your heart. You will simply know in your spirit that there is something for you to accomplish this day.

Then it will be time to obey and do what ever the Holy Spirit instructs you to do.

Think about all these things and consider how this personally applies to you.

Share about Jesus, knowing you have authority in His name to heal the sick and to rebuke negative attitudes and evil spirits.

Be compassionate and a good neighbor to those who need help.

Love God with all you heart, mind and strength, and very important – take time to daily sit at Jesus feet in your secret place.