Rethinking “Love Your Neighbor”
When I wrote my last pastoral reflection, the world was shaken by the Air Jeju aircraft incident. Now, as I prepare for this reflection, we are once again faced with tragedy—this time, a natural disaster. A massive earthquake struck central Myanmar, with tremors felt as far as Bangkok. Subsequent aftershocks were recorded, and earthquakes also occurred near Aceh and Tonga.
As children of God, we should not be surprised, for Matthew 24:7 tells us of such events, and verse 8 states, “All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
In response, many non-profit organizations and government agencies have mobilized Disaster Relief Teams to assist those affected in Myanmar. But what about us as the body of Christ? How should we respond? Who should we help? Are we truly contributing to humanity’s needs?
This brings to mind Luke 10:25-37—the parable of the Good Samaritan. I’d like to offer some insights that may lead us to rethink this passage and how we live it out.
The story of the Good Samaritan arose when a teacher of the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” The Bible does not specify whether the injured man was a Jew or a Gentile. However, it explicitly mentions that both a priest and a Levite passed him by, leaving him helpless. The Samaritan—the least expected person—was the one who showed compassion. We often interpret this parable as a call to help those in need, but I invite us to reflect deeper on what it means to “love our neighbor.”
- Have we considered that this passage calls us to love beyond race, ethnicity, and religion? Could Jesus be teaching the Jews—and us—to care for anyone in need, regardless of their beliefs? Perhaps it’s not about converting others to Christianity, but about loving them as fellow human beings who cry out for hope and help.
- Have we thought about what it truly means to reach out to the community, even when their beliefs and values differ from ours? When Jesus commanded His disciples to go to all nations and make disciples, did He mean that we serve others only as a means of saving souls? Or are we called to serve simply because it is right and just? What do we truly understand about discipleship?
- Have we ever realized that Jesus implicitly teaches the expert in the Law the true meaning of discipleship and mercy? Some historians argue that the priest and the Levite passed by the injured man because they were on their way to perform worship rituals. However, the lesson Jesus seeks to convey is this: as followers of Christ, helping others is far more important than our spiritual routines. True discipleship is not just about religious practices but about living out God’s love through acts of mercy.
Let us bring hope to those who cry out for help. As Christians, our faith calls us to be more humane—to be compassionate to all who struggle. As we remember the people of Myanmar, may we extend our care to all, regardless of religion or race.
Brothers and Sisters,
Let us continue to pray and do what we can for our communities.
思想“爱你的邻舍”
在我的上个反思，全世界在为着济州航空的空难哀悼。现在，当我在准备这次的反思时，我再次看见一个灾难，而且是自然灾害。缅甸遭遇了地震，而且余震也转到曼谷之远。其他地带也有感受到余震，例如在亚齐和汤加等地区。
身为神的孩子，我们不应该感到震惊，因为在马太福音 24:7有告知我们这些事情的发生，第8节还告诉我们“这都是灾难的起头”。
因此多数非盈利组织和政府部门都把他们的赈灾团队差派到缅甸帮忙那些被影响的人。但我们身为基督的肢体呢？我们应该如何回应？我们应该帮助谁？我们是否真的对人性的需要有贡献？
这就提醒了我路加福音 10:25-37 – 好撒玛利亚人的比喻。让我解释一些细节，带领我们反思这段经文并且如何去实践。
好撒玛利亚人的事件是当一位文士问了耶稣“谁是我的邻舍？”圣经里面并没有指明那位受伤的人是位犹太人还是外邦人，但却有指明有一位祭师和利未人经过了他，让那个人觉得无助。但是撒玛利亚人，最没想到的人，却动了慈心。我们常常把这个比喻诠释成一个帮助有需要的人的呼召。但是，我邀请你更深地思考“爱我们的邻舍”有什么意义。
- 我们曾否考虑到这个经文呼召我们去实行跨越肤色，种族和宗教的爱？耶稣会不会是在教导犹太人（和现今的我们）去关心他人的需要，无论他们的信仰是什么？或许我们不是要他们改教信主，而是为同是人类，对盼望和求救的呼喊，去爱他们。
- 我们曾否反思接触我们的社区真实的意义何在，即使他们的信仰和价值观与我们大有不同？当耶稣命令祂的门徒到地级使万民作门徒时，祂是否在表达我们去服侍他人纯粹为了拯救灵魂？还是我们被呼召去服侍他人因为道德上的正规和公义？我们对门徒训练真正了解了什么？
- 我们是否发现耶稣正在教导一位懂律法的文士关于门徒操练和怜悯？有些考古学家认为祭师和利未人经过了那位受伤的人，因为他们赶着去祭拜。但是，耶稣的教导是要传递这点：身为跟随基督的人，帮助他人远超过我们的属灵日常。真正的门体操练不单是属灵的行为，而是包括通过怜悯活出神的爱。
让我们把盼望带给那些在求救的人。身为基督徒，我们的信仰呼召我们更加人性化 – 施行怜悯给那些在挣扎的人。当我们纪念那些在缅甸的人，让我们把我们的关怀带给全部人，不分宗教或种族。
弟兄姐们，让我们继续祷告，尽我们所能贡献于我们的社区。
郭进兴牧师