The Good Samaritan Lk. 10:25-37. Who is my neighbor? Traditional definitions and stereotypes abound and as usual, by introducing our own definitions, we can define who is, and who is not, our neighbor. For example we see people in another country as being in need but not as our neighbor. The lawyers’ question, Vs. 25, was not a genuine effort to have a clear answer to the question but an effort to ‘test’ Jesus. Jesus answers with another question and the lawyer is not found wanting. Lawyers always have an answer! He, of course, has his own definition of what is a neighbor and seeks to justify himself, Vs. 29. Do we do the same? Have we our own definitions and ‘justify’ ourselves accordingly? Do we need to learn to think ‘outside the box’ and expand our vision and see things as God sees them? Today, more than ever, noninvolvement is seen as the wisest option. The priest and the Levite chose this option. The Samaritan, on the other hand, chose differently. Of the three he would have been the one thought most likely to pass by. After all, the victim was a Jew and, as we know, the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. But this Samaritan was different. At considerable cost and personal inconvenience to himself he was prepared to take the risk and help out this person who needed help, whom he did not know and who would most likely be unable to repay him. And, there would most likely be no public recognition of his charitable act. What are the factors that motivate or demotivate us when it comes to helping others? Where does selfishness end and selflessness begin? Were Samaritans better neighbors than Jews? Probably not! But that is not the purpose of the Lords’ question, Vs. 36. The purpose is to show us that neighborliness is not defined by race and if not defined by race then certainly not by occupation, status or any of the other criteria that we might use to define it. A neighbor is the one who sees the need and responds to it. It seems clear that this was not the lawyers definition because Jesus tells him to ‘go and do likewise’, Vs. 37. Before he could literally go he had to change his definition of who was his neighbor. When he did that then he could go. Do we need to change our definitions? Are we prepared to pay the price, put up with the inconvenience and take the risk? Do we want to be a good neighbor or do just want to continue with our policy of noninvolvement? The bottom line is ‘is our Christianity real and practical or simply academic’? Is Gods Word a theory text book or a handbook for daily living?