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A Scribe once asked Jesus what he should do to win eternal life. Jesus knew that many Scribes (we would say Theologists) wanted to set a trap for Him, in the hope, that they would catch Him making a statement which was contrary to Holy Scripture and have reason to deliver Him to the judges. Jesus let them answer their own questions, asking what Jewish law said. The Scribe gave the well-known answer, “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” But a little later the Scribe questioned “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus gave the famous parable of the Good Samaritan. Let us dwell on it once more, especially on the question “And who is my neighbour?”

Jesus placed a Samaritan above a Priest and a Levite. That was nothing less than a very daring, an almost revolutionary act! The Jews despised the Samaritans to such an extent, that if the shadow of a Samaritan fell upon them, they would wash themselves, and vice versa the hate and scorn of the Samaritans for the Jews was no less. Just such a despicable person was chosen by Jesus to explain to the Scribe (a respected person of superior rank) who his neighbour was. The Priest, who according to their religion was surrounded by an aura of holiness, Jesus described as a coward and egoist.

Jesus lets the main answer to the question, who is the neighbour of the robbed and half-dead man, be given again by the Scribe himself. The latter could give no other answer than “He that shewed mercy on him.” He obviously could not utter the word “Samaritan.” To the unfortunate Jew the helpful Samaritan was his neighbour.   Undoubtedly Jesus had also wanted to make clear that the Samaritan’s neighbour was the man in need even though the latter belonged to an enemy people.

The admonition “Love your neighbour as yourself” is very often used. How would we answer the question “Who is our neighbour?” The word neighbour is related to the word “nigh.” Neighbour is one who is nigh. Neighbours are associates, colleagues, brothers and sisters in the community etc. Not only those we like but even our “enemies.” Jesus said, “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?” (Matt.5:46).

In the Old Testament the word ‘neighbour’ occurs often. It means- those who belong to the same tribe or still narrower meaning to the same household, family member or friend. Jesus gave the word ‘neighbour’ a much broader meaning. Our neighbour is also the one who belongs to another nation, even enemies. Extend the above list by including the following groups: Workers from other countries. Totally different cultures, other races and minorities.

Love expresses itself in actions which serve to the good of others. Take care that our words and deeds are unbiased, that we are open hearted to all irrespective of their colour, beliefs, religion, social standing, wealth or poverty or place of residence. Christ’s Kingdom has no nationalities, races or classes. Wherever we see distress which we can alleviate we should do it. Wherever wrong ideas prevail, we should amiably but firmly point out what is wrong: and.be a living testimony of the effect Christ has had on us through His Apostles word and not aggressively, not brutally, not critically but clearly, with gentle persuasion. Then is Jesus’ commandment sufficient: “Go ye and do likewise!”