This afternoon one of my sister’s neighbors was walking his dog past her home when he noticed a dangerous electric line connection to her home. He works for the electric company and made arrangements for an immediate repair. We are our neighbor’s keeper. And who is our neighbor? Sound like a familiar question? It should. It’s right out of Jesus’ parable about The Good Samaritan. It’s most likely one of the most important stories ever told. We need each other. There is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. We all benefit from the care of others.
You might think that I am about to advocate for you to reach out and help others. And while that is important, one of life’s great lessons is to allow others to help you. Sometimes when things aren’t going so well others want to help but often our self-pride and self-resilient resists that help. A wonderful avenue for ministry is to allow others to give and care. On the way to the cross some women offered Jesus a painkiller. He refused because He needed to stay as clear headed as possible. But after being hours upon the cross and about the die He cried out, “I thirst.” Scripture tells us that a Roman soldier ran to offer him a drink of soldier’s wine and Jesus drank. He died almost immediately after that. Why did He take it? It was His act of love and ministry to the soldier. Even at the end Jesus was always considering the feelings of others.
Being a good neighbor works both ways – giving and receiving.
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 9, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org