who is my neighbour?

37 He said to him: “Thou shalt love Yehovah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] your Elohim (The Many Powered) [The Living Word of God] with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength”. 38 “This is the first and great commandment.” 39 “The second is like it: “Thou shalt love your neighbour as yourself” Matthew 22:37‭-‬39 NMV
https://bible.com/bible/2135/mat.22.37-39.NMV

The Pharisees had managed to warp even the scriptures about loving their neighbour. Jesus did not respect their ways or attitudes.  He confronted them. In Luke 10:29 an expert teacher of the law had asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbour?" The Jews had very strict rules about only associating with other Jews. They saw anyone else as unclean. Jesus answered the man with a parable, the Good Samaritan.  In this parable we see the good samaritan was one who had pity on a non-Jew by rescuing him from certain death, and paying for his care. 

We must now consider who our neighbours are. Are they only the people next door or across the street? Are they who we mandate them to be? I think even us are in for a shock when we discover a neighbour, according to the true meaning, is anyone other than ourselves and ours.

I have many Bangladeshi, Indian, Sri Lanka, African neighbours. As Tamworth is a regional centre, and the government has stipulated that for new Australians to obtain a work visa with a chance of permanent residency, these must work in a regional community for several years, they come here. Many are highly qualified, and lovely family people.

As I know how I would love assistance if I was in their land, I help these immigrants, and make a point of befriending them.

We cannot stay safely inside, and neglect those in need. Jesus showed and taught this. Most of his ministry took Him to the people rejected by society. We can do this also.  Amen!

Oscar  here was being a good neighbour. He accommodated the children needing to play with him.

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