From the archives of Oral Roberts
The Pharisees had a problem with the Old Testament commandment to love their neighbor. They said, “God couldn’t be talking about Samaritans, little children, lepers, tax collectors, or adulterers.” They defined the term “neighbor” as anyone who wasn’t a Pharisee. An understanding of their thinking helps us to fully appreciate the wisdom of Jesus’ answer to the lawyer who asked him, “Who is my neighbor?” (See Luke 10:29-37.)
Jesus answered the question with a story. He said there was a man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the journey, thieves jumped him, beat him, took his money, and left him to die. A priest and a Levite went by, but they both kept on going and didn’t stop to help him.
Finally, a Samaritan stopped and ministered to the man’s wounds, and then lifted him onto his own donkey and took him to an inn. The Samaritan also gave money to the innkeeper and said he would be back with more money if it was needed.
Then Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Who was the neighbor?” The Pharisees acknowledged that it was the Samaritan.
God has called us to love all people because all are of great value to Him. If you feel as if you have no worth, remember that God loves you. He gave His only Son to die for you. YOU are of great value to Him.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. — Mark 12:31