ARE YOU MY NEIGHBOR?

This morning as I read the "Who is My Neighbor?" story of "The Good Samaritan" in Luke 10:30-37, two phrases in particular stood out. About not one, but two men, it is written that they "passed by on the other side", but about the third man on the scene it says, "He felt compassion and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him ... "etc. What about you? Me? Which character action would be ours? Would we pass by on the other side or would we have compassion and be willing to go out of our way to help bring comfort to a sufferer?
Even knowing we are not likely to come across an identical situation, as we consider the message from our Lord found in chapter 10 of Luke, can't each one of us conjure up images of possible circumstances where we might find opportunities to become involved? The choice of path is ours to follow. For example: when scurrying around to greet our friends between Bible classes and worship time on Sunday mornings, do we take time to notice the strangers in our midst or perhaps particularly that one woman who always sits all alone? Maybe she prefers that but have we asked if she would like to come sit by us so we know for sure? And, how about when you're ready to make a quick trip for that tasty special cup of coffee, do you think about offering to pick up and take the recently widowed woman or man to join you? It might take a little more of your time but to the lonely one it could help shorten a very long day.
I could go on with more examples but I am sure you can think of many instances without my help. Sometimes all it takes is opening the eyes of our hearts and becoming aware kind of as I did when I read those earlier mentioned verses that in my many years I have read many times, yet seemed to really see those phrases in a different way than ever before.
The question that started the story in the book of Luke was, "Who is my neighbor?" The question I have is: “Are we each other's neighbor?”
Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 10-29-2009

HE LEFT HIS HOME IN HEAVEN

He left His Home in Heaven to come to earth below.
First child in the family, His mother Mary watched Him grow.
An infant in the Temple, blessed by Simeon,
Seen by Prophetess Anna was He, too…
An old man and an 84-year-old widow…
What God gave them to view!
Mary cradled these things as she cradled her infant Son;
She pondered and she treasured them, one by one by one.
The infant grew into a toddler just as our own sons grew,
He took his first wee baby steps, there appeared a tooth, then two.
He found a bug of interest, a bird sang to Him as well,
He’d watch a cloud drift slowly by or run down a hill pell-mell!
All nature seemed to call to Him – He had a gentle way
With brothers and some sisters, too, at home in work and play.
We know how brothers love to tease their little sisters so…
Imagine that of our Lord –wouldn’t it be fun to know?
We know at twelve He went into the Temple once again
And while there for One His age He astonished learned men.
We don’t know much from there until He started His ministry,
But this we know - we know He loved and served obediently.
Within His earthly home He grew and as He grew we wonder,
What did He know - and when - Mary’s not the only one to ponder.
But Mary gift was special, that of raising God’s Only Son,
With that Gift came responsibility, what an awesome one!
And with that Gift came pain that we can only touch in thought
Because to begin to imagine all with which she dealt, we cannot.
And Jesus left His home again…this time the one down here;
He set His face; He knew His time was soon to end, ‘tis clear.
He walked among the crowds and healed so many disease-ridden;
He taught within the synagogues -- wherever He felt bidden.
Then came the time He was betrayed by one who called Him Friend,
But Jesus knew and so He said, “What you do, do quickly.”
The beginning of the end…
Into the Garden to pray went the disciples and He,
He for His disciples and for you and for me!
When the soldiers came searching for Christ he asked, “Whom do you seek?
With His answer, “I am He,” they fell down upon the knee!
He was taken and tried in a mock-trial, but the beating He was given was real…
As real as the nails used to impale Him on that tree…
The one He knew He’d hang on when He left His Home in Heaven for you and for me.
As He hung on that cross His blood dripped away
Spattering in dust puffs where the implanted cross lay.
He gave up His Glory and followed God’s plan, this Son God freely gave;
He honored His Father through life and through death, from birth right to the grave;
And now He sits by God’s right hand awaiting that Special Day
When with the words we long to hear, we will hear Him say,
“Welcome, Good and Faithful Servant, enter into the joys of the Lord,”.
It’s more than these few years on earth He lived and died and gave us…
He wants to share His heavenly home, the one He left to save us,
John 3:16 and John 15:13

© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 10-1-2009