Ethical questions intrigue us when we watch shows like “What Would You Do?” where people’s reactions to various inappropriate situations are secretly filmed. However, they take on a whole different dimension when we are the one in the hot seat. Jesus was telling a story to a man seeking clarification of “Who is my neighbor?” when he was told that to inherit eternal life he must “love God and love his neighbor” (my paraphrase of Luke 10:27). Our neighbors come in all different sizes, shapes and colors; they can live in another country or reside under our own roof. In fact, our “neighbor” is anyone other than ourselves. Today I want us to consider four areas of lives that might keep us “too busy” to “love our neighbor”.  
 
Blind vision…“no sight”
“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.” Luke 10:31
 
Our vision can blind us to the needs of those around us. When I am concentrating on something my wife often has a hard time getting my attention. I have the ability to block everything else out so I can focus on the task at hand. Even though it can frustrate her at times, it also allows me to do my best in a chaotic environment; having said that, it isn’t an excuse to close my eyes or ears to those around me that may need my help. There is a certain irony in the fact that we can become so intent on our journey to formulate programs or systems to help others that we literally “pass by on the other side” those who need us in the moment. We must ask God to restore our vision to see our neighbor on our path to somewhere else, regardless of how good or important our task might be.
  
Unconscious passion…“no sizzle”
“So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.” Luke 10:32
 
Have you ever lost your zeal for a cause that you have devoted a lot of time to in your life? It’s easy to do if we are not careful. None of us can save the world by ourselves; in fact it’s not even our job. Our job is to “love our neighbor as ourselves”. We must love ourselves enough to eat right, exercise and get the proper amount of rest so we are able to be effective. I can just see the Levite headed home after a hard day in the temple; he has a heart for God, for assisting others in their worship and a driving desire to be all that God wants him to be, but on his way home he is exhausted. Whether he “passed by on the other side” out of a conscious decision or not, he still didn’t help the “neighbor” in need. We must take care of ourselves so we don’t lose our sizzle to answer God’s call to provide “road service” along the highway of our life when asked.
 
Silver coins…“no support”
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He 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. The 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.” Luke 10:33-35
 
I know a man whose pastor asked him to take over the responsibility of administering their church’s benevolent fund. The church was very proud of the sizable amount that they had set aside over time to help those who had a need for food or shelter. About a month later at the next business meeting my friend was asked to give a report of his ministry. He proudly announced that the “fund” had a zero balance because the money had been used to meet the needs of people in the community. Although many of the members were shocked, the pastor smiled because my friend had understood his mission. Sometimes we question whether or not to “love our neighbor” based on the amount of “silver coins” in our pocket. The Samaritan in Jesus’ story had no way of knowing whether or not the injured man could repay him and there is no indication that he cared to be reimbursed. He even went so far as to assure the innkeeper that he would return to pay for any additional charges for the man’s care. Wow! That’s the kind of man I want to be, even if I fail at times. My past failures don’t have to determine what I will do in the future and the same is true for you. As God opens our eyes and restores our passion we need to allocate our “silver coins” in a way that truly benefits our “neighbor”.
 
Yellow belly…“no spine”
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37
 
Old westerns are fun to watch on many different levels, but my favorite reason is to listen to the interesting dialogue. If a man was lacking in courage they would say that he was a “yellow belly…” whatever. It takes courage to step up and love our neighbor when we are “busy” with life. We legitimize our reluctance to get involved with rationalizations such as, “It’s not my job”, “I don’t have enough money” or “I just can’t take on anything else”. Don’t get me wrong, I know that there are times that we “can’t”, but I also know there are far more instances we “won’t” for one of the reasons I just mentioned or a thousand more. What I am fascinated by is that the man got the message that Jesus was conveying. He told Jesus that the man who showed “mercy” was doing the right thing and then Jesus gently instructed him to “Go and do likewise”. Every time I read this story, I am challenged with the same admonition, “Who is my neighbor?” and “What do I need to do?”  
 
How about you, do you find yourself “too busy” to help your neighbor next door, across the street or what about those living on the street? What about those who live under your own roof? Take some time this week to consider if you are “too busy”. After you “check your pulse” ask the Great Physician for His prescription. I assure you that whatever the dosage we need or whatever the cost, God is never “too busy” to bring us the healing we need.
 
Del Brixey
“Cruising the Neighborhood”
 
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