One of the hardest parables to apply in life is the Parable of the Good Samaritan. A person asks "Who is my neighbor", and Jesus answers by showing a glimpse of what it means to love your neighbor. Leaving aside the issue of the model of a loving neighbor being a Samaritan, what do we learn about loving the neighbor in this parable?

     Thinking of this parable made me think of a stranded motorist in a highway. Does loving your neighbour mean stopping and helping the stranded motorist? Would it be enough to just call the police? Going out of the way to stop for a stranded motorist has its risks. What if it was a setup? What if it will take you away from your other responsibilities? Calling the police is an unsatisfactory response, even though it is a good move, since the duty of caring for the neighbour has been passed on to others. Its the same as havng other people care for others when it is within our power to help them. That is not the love shown by the Good Samaritan who invested himself so the wounded man can be healed.  

     It is hard to pontificate on this issue because it is tough to follow the action of the good Samaitan who risked his life and set aside his agenda to help out a person in need. We can't strongly blame the other two people who passed by the wounded man. We probably would have done the same thing if helping a neighbour will risk our lives or our agenda. The good Samaritan is hard to follow because his action entailed something beyond compassion. Most of us feel compassion when we see suffering, and may even give money to alleviate suffering. However, the good Samaritan went beyond compassion. He acted on his compassion by sacrificing his agenda for a time, his safety, and possibly his life. He personally treated the man's wounds. This kind of sacrifice is not inherent in the hearts of humans.  

     My purpose is not to call people to do certain things. My purpose is to help people look at their attitudes. Loving the neighbor starts with the attitude of willingness to sacrifice for the neighbor. The wars that our nation participate in have a humanitarian component, even though the motives of our leaders are most probably not pure. I sympathize with the anti-war sentiments, whether from the left or from the right. However, I want to point out that these anti-war sentiments show a lack of willingness to sacrifice for our neighbors. I understand that America can't be the savior of the world, and America does not help all the suffering equally. However, I believe we can be supportive of the steps taken to alleviate suffering overseas. We can't be so focused on our needs as a nation, which are plenty, that we get angry about American involvement in war. I am not opposed to asking our government to think about our national needs and accept that we cannot end all suffering. However, as a strong nation, America has the power to alleviate some suffering. Therefore, my call is for the toning down of the anti-war rhetoric. God commands his people a lot of times to stand up for the weak and we should be supportive of America's involvement with standing up for the weak. Violence is not a permanent solution to the chaos in the world, but violence does bring order for a time. Violence is sometimes necessary to save lives.

     One of the best examples of loving the neighbour in this present time are the adoptive parents of Michael Oher, an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens. His story is told in the movie "Blindside." His adoptive parents saw him as a neighbor in need, they gave him a home, and guided him through life. Their action helped Michael Oher develop into who he is today. Some may argue that they could have sacrificed more of their resources (they were rich) so more people can be helped. However, they did invest their lives, and they made a decision that was criticized by others, and a person who was homeless not only found a home but found love. They did not throw money at the problem, which is not the most loving response to suffering. As we look at our world with these examples of sacrificing for the neighbor, instead of being critical, let us examine our attitudes towards the neighbor right in front of us. We don't have to go to urban slums or overseas to find the "neighbor" in need. Are we willing to sacrifice our agendas for that neighbor? That is the kind of love Jesus calls us to.