25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27He answered: ” ‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37)
Today we begin our reflections on the Discipline of Service as we consider the theme A World in Need. Later this week we will consider the Discipline of Stewardship.
Jesus taught powerful lessons through parables. The parable of the Good Samaritan is certainly a fitting story for us to think about as we consider the Discipline of Service in the context of current global events. With Covid-19 wreaking havoc we certainly have a world in need – a world desperate for good Samaritans.
Media outlets are rightly applauding health service workers and others at the front line of addressing the human tragedy we are observing. As commendable as these actions are though, they pale in comparison to the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity. The standard of service expected of followers of Jesus is, therefore, very high.
Please prayerfully read the passage above and consider the question below.
Question
What are some of the ways that Christians can serve as good neighbors in the current crisis?
March 23, 2020 at 11:05 am
Be prepared: when purchasing anything, if you are able get an extra one or two for that unknown person you expect God to bring across your path.
Be attentive: ask the Lord to give you an attentive heart, eye, ears to hear even the unspoken requests of someone in need.
Be creative: Begin to think of ways to think of ways to provide what you have to anyone you learn can benefit from what you have.
March 23, 2020 at 12:47 pm
If we know of elderly in our neighborhood who may not easily be able to go grocery shopping, we can find out what they need and shop for them.
We can buy a meal for a homeless person.
When can pray.
We can ask God to bring to our mind someone who needs us that we not have thought about on a while.
When we do venture out for necessities, we can give a smile to the person we pass by. Although we should assume everyone is infected and should keep our distance, a pleasant countenance goes a long way.
March 23, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Our posture in any crisis will communicate our belief in the God we serve. If as Christians we don’t demonstrate confidence in God, it is unlikely that unbelievers will have a desire to know our God. We can be witnesses in extreme circumstances by our actions.
March 23, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Over the past few days I have been checking our neighborhood social media to see where people are in need of items. One person asked for old albums and scrapbooks to do projects with their kids while at home. Normally I would not even pay attention to this or if I had the items I would’ve donated them to Goodwill. I found myself responding to the email and sharing the empty wedding album I have held on to it for 7 years to print pictures and put them in. I doubt that’s going to happen. 🙂
I have to remind myself that a small act of kindness on my part translates into a meaningful entry point into a relationship with others that could impact them for eternity.
Lord give me eyes to see how You see me, eyes to see how You see Your world, courage to join You in the lives of Your people who are in my immediate contact.
March 23, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Pray for guidance. Not everyone you think needs help wants others to intervene. Keep in prayer.
Spontaneous acts of kindness by giving, telephoning, a compliment in passing, or eye contact or smile, bring joy to others in far greater ways.
One can be an anonymous donor as well.
March 23, 2020 at 11:17 pm
My next door neighbor is 72 years old and living alone. Even if there is no crisis like what we have now, I often bring cooked food to this neighbor and also send her message in our Line chat. She doesn’t speak English so I try to communicate with her in Japanese with my little ability to write in Japanese characters and also in Romaji. When she was younger, I used to invite her to my church for Easter, Christmas or thanksgiving events. Now, she prefers to stay home. This neighbor also is the one to collect all my letters and stuff from my mailbox when my husband and I are living abroad for diplomatic assignment and we had no choice but to just keep our house locked till we are done with the assignment and back again in Japan. My neighbor is like a family to us. She also contacts my son in Tokyo if there are things from the mails in our mailbox that need urgent reply/ action as my son visits our house once in a while. Now that she is getting older, I sometimes check her and ask if she is okay or if there’s anything she wants me to do. But Japanese old people are always very self sufficient and healthy, and I’m grateful my neighbor is enjoying this stage of her life. She has a beautiful flower garden too. She often sats to me that If I want fresh flowers, I can pick from her garden. I pray for my neighbor and I thank the Lord for the blessings of friendship.
March 24, 2020 at 1:20 am
Do what you should do.
Help in anyway you can.
If you can do more than usual like helping a neighbour do her nails. Some need help to color hair etc.
More opportunity to help more.
But I notice people are still not yet in that zone as unless personally affected people are oblivious to the needs of other people.
I gave advice to the mire elderly in the park who did not seem to know the severity of not being close to someone etc.Took snack bars and gave to some and informed them when to shop at groceries as social media us not the thing for most elderly.