Black brush lettering on ivory handmade paper: “Love for our neighbor becomes visible when mercy moves us to act.”

The Neighbor on the Other Side of the Road

You probably know what it is like to notice a need and wonder whose responsibility it is. Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan brings that question close enough to affect our next decision.

Go and do likewise.

(Luke 10:37, NIV, excerpt)

An expert in the law asked Jesus who counted as his neighbor. Jesus described a wounded man left beside a road. A priest and a Levite passed by. A Samaritan stopped, tended his wounds, and arranged ongoing care. At the end, Jesus asked which person had acted as a neighbor. The answer was the one who showed mercy.

Move from noticing to helping

Jesus directs our attention toward becoming a neighbor. Love takes shape in a response to the person who needs care, even across boundaries of familiarity or belonging.

Think of a need you already know about. Perhaps a neighbor needs a ride, a family could use groceries, or a community organization has asked for a particular kind of help. Ask what would be useful, then choose an action you can carry through.

You can involve others when the need is bigger than what you can responsibly offer. The Samaritan arranged care with an innkeeper. Shared help can give kindness a longer reach.

As you pray, ask Jesus to uncover the distance you are tempted to keep and guide you toward wise, practical mercy.

A prayer

Jesus, thank You for showing us mercy. Help us become neighbors who respond with compassion, cross the distance love asks us to cross, and follow through with care. Amen.

Read Luke 10:25-37 in the NIV.

Keep reading: When Jesus Makes Time for One Person · How to Pray for Someone Who Is Hurting.