However, it is clear through the parable of the Good Samaritan
that Jesus has a different definition of neighbor; a true, loving, and Godly
definition. In this story, the neighbor
is not the Priest of the Levite, who most likely share similar dress, beliefs,
and societal prominence as the injured man. Rather, it’s the Samaritan, a man
whose nature and upbringing place him in opposition to the injured man, which
ends up being his neighbor. In this, Christ opens up a whole new realm of neighbors.
Our neighbors are all of those that we show mercy to and so we can have as many
neighbors choose. Neighbors are no longer bound by location, race, and
financial status, but by the mercy that flows from us.
The poorest neighborhood in Denver, the Sun Valley, is three
miles from our housing site and is where our newest ministry partner Hope in Our City has decided that their neighbors are. Hope in Our City has sought to be a part of
the large refugee community, with the goal of showing them compassion and love. We
are so excited about their passion to help their neighbors intangible ways that will not only relieve immediate needs, but help to equip their neighbors in the future:
“Our strategy is to develop the skills of
vulnerable individuals in the six specific areas of language, employment,
education, life-skills, citizenship and spiritual development. We believe these
are the BIG 6 to engagement. An individual bettering themselves in these
6 areas will lead to a better community, which leads to a stronger city, which
leads to a healthier nation and ultimately a world filled with hope today and
for all eternity through belief in Jesus" (www.hopeinourcity.org)
I think we can admire Hope in Our City’s approach to
being neighbors. Instead of living life and caring for just those we daily
encounter, we can expand neighborliness to whoever we choose. We can seek out
those that God wants us to have compassion on and realize that there are no
boundaries to who we can love except our own capacity and desire to love. We
can seek to love as Christ loves us and to allow His love to pour out and to
reach those who have no neighbors.
- Josh Frase, CSM Denver Apprentice
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