THE word ‘neighbour’ first appeared in Anglo-Saxon times when a person tilled his little strip of soil and were called ‘nigh-bors’ when two strips adjoined. This word in time became ‘neighbour’ which is used today for anyone we come in contact with daily. Neighbours are not carefully selected friends who are witty or attractive and who may add a moral tone to the neighbourhood. Neighbours are the mixed bag of people with whom we share a street with perhaps adjoining gardens or maybe someone across a landing in a block of flats. Six out of the Ten Commandments deal with duties towards a ‘neighbour’.

According to traditional teaching Jews then were under no obligation to love those people outside their own race or religion as their neighbour. Consequently they regarded ‘neighbour’ as a term of limited liability. Amidst a gathering of people a teacher of the law asked Jesus “Who is my neighbour?” in order to try and trap him. He was testing Jesus’ competence of scripture exposition rather than wanting a direct and correct answer. The lawyer was probably an expert on the Old Testament rendering concerning the translation of ‘neighbour’ as making someone nearby feel loved. Jesus however responded by stating his question wrong as this should have been “To whom can I be a neighbour?” One cannot define the word ‘neighbour’ but is able to be one by going an extra mile to help someone in distress. Jesus demonstrated this by telling the wonderful story of the Good Samaritan. The conversation between him and the lawyer perfectly illustrated the difference between the ethics of the law and the ethics of love.

At the conclusion of his story Jesus asked the lawyer “Who do you think was the neighbour?” his answer ‘The one who showed mercy and was kind”. Therefore Jesus said to him and says to us “Go and do likewise”. Jesus brought love into this world with his death at Calvary and following Resurrection. His brothers and sisters are whoever trusts in him and obediently does his will. These are all members of a world-wide family regardless of colour, shape or size and this still applicable for present day followers. Jesus came not to be served but to serve and expects us to emulate him by loving the unlovely. Looking at ‘neighbour’ with appreciative eyes accepting them the way they are radiates a warm atmosphere. No-one is hopeless who hopes in God so keep the two great commandments of loving God and your neighbour as yourself to fulfill the law of Christ.

“Others, Lord yes others –Let this our motto be, Help us to live for others and live like Thee.”

June Pooley