A Christian businessman (educated at a Christian University, no less) was traveling from his home one early Sunday morning when he felt a pain in his chest. He pulled over, and shortly thereafter, lost consciousness.
A few moments later, one of Nashville’s local preacher’s was driving to church when he saw the car. He thought about stopping, but since it was Sunday and he had an early morning ministry meeting prior to Bible class, he drove on by.
A few hours later, an influential church member was on her way to a “How to teach the Bible” seminar when she noticed in her rear-view mirror a parked car. “Was that a man with his head on the steering wheel?” she wondered as she hurriedly drove down the street.
Finally, a Muslim man, who was on a Sunday afternoon walk with his family, saw the car beside the road. He went to ask if the man inside needed help and noticed he was unconscious. He sent his wife and son for help while he performed CPR on the man in the car. While he worked to revive the man, he prayed, “God Almighty, help this man in need.”
Now, I ask you, who was a neighbor to the man in the car?
Yes, this is a modern day version of the Good Samaritan... or perhaps we should call him “the Good Neighbor who happened to be a Muslim.” Like Jesus’ story in Luke 10:30-37, many of us — like the Jews of Jesus’ day — are busy... and afraid... of the foreigners that live around us. At the very least, we are cautious and reserved about reaching out to our Muslim neighbors, especially since September 11.
Jesus’ story, however, serves as a wake-up call to any Bible-believing, church-going Christian. The call is to remember that what pleases God is not our knowledge of the Scripture or church tradition, but faith expressing itself in love for our neighbors — no matter how they appear or what others that may look or sound like them may have done!
So who is your neighbor?
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. (Galatians 5:6)
Title: "Who Is My Neighbor, Revisited!"
Author: Scott Owings
Publication Date: March 5, 2002
Who Is My Neighbor, Revisited!
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