Love for Your Neighbor
Love for One's Neighbor: The Teaching of Jesus Through the Parable of the Good Samaritan
In our lives, love for one’s neighbor occupies an important place. It is the foundation of our Christian calling and reflects the essence of the teachings of Jesus Christ. One of the most vivid examples of this love is the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is described in the Gospel of Luke.
In
Luke 10:25-37we see how the lawyer attempts to test Jesus’ knowledge of the law. Jesus outlines the commandment to love God and one’s neighbor. The lawyer, wishing to justify himself, asks, “And who is my neighbor?” And here, Jesus begins to tell the parable.“And behold, a lawyer stood up and, testing Him, said, 'Teacher! What shall I do to inherit eternal life?'”
Many of us know this story: a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho fell victim to robbers. They beat him, took everything, and left him half-dead. A priest and a Levite pass by, but both do not dare to help, ignoring him. However, a Samaritan comes along, a person considered unacceptable in Jewish society. He stops to help, tending to his wounds, bringing him to an inn, and covering the expenses.
This parable, through the example of the Samaritan, shows us the essence of love for one’s neighbor.
1 John 4:20Can we say that we love God if we pass by those in need of our help? Jesus poses the question not about the origin of our neighbor, but about our willingness to help.“If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”
Observing the good Samaritan, we realize that love knows no boundaries. It is an action, not just an emotion.
John 13:34-35This is an invitation to be bearers of love, mercy, and grace in our world.“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
True love for one’s neighbor requires action from us. Perhaps we don’t need to become super agents, but we can show goodwill in everyday life: helping neighbors, supporting friends in difficult times, or just being attentive to the needs of others. Each of us can be a good Samaritan in our surroundings.
Thus, the teaching of Jesus calls us to be actively involved in the lives of others. Let us remember that love for one’s neighbor is not just a call, but a true vocation that we must embody in our daily lives. Let us be those who do not pass by, but care for others as the good Samaritan does. May love for one’s neighbor become our goal and motivation for action.
