Loving Our Neighbors
The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29
Our “neighbors” should be at the heart of everything we do here at Kitchen One for One… because our “neighbors” are at the heart of everything Jesus calls His followers to do.
This week at Kitchen One for One, we have the privilege of having our volunteers join us in preparing and serving fresh meals for those in need. As we come together, it’s important to make known that we do so in the name of Christ.
This week, to help us come together and be in unity with the Holy Spirit and each other, we’ll spend some time reflecting on the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the powerful message it conveys about loving our neighbors and helping those in need.
In Luke 10:25-37, after saying that the greatest command of God is to love Him and to love our neighbors, Jesus tells a story about a man who was beaten, robbed, and left for dead on the side of the road. In the story, a priest and a Levite, both respected religious leaders, passed by the hurting man without offering help. And then, a Samaritan, who was considered an outsider and enemy by the Jews, stopped to care for the man. The Samaritan bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his continued care. (Note: These are all practical things that God would have us do for others, too.)
The Good Samaritan exemplifies the true essence of loving our neighbors. It's not about who we are or what we have; it's about how we respond to the needs of others. Jesus teaches us that our neighbors are not just those who are like us or live near us, but everyone who needs our help and compassion, and ultimately, to experience the grace, mercy, love, and dignity that comes from the Lord.
At Kitchen One for One, we are attempting to embody this principle by preparing and serving fresh quality meals to those who are hungry and in need. Our volunteers, like the Good Samaritan, step in to make a difference in the lives of others. Through our actions, we show the love of Christ and advance His purposes by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of our community.
As we come together this week, let’s remember the words of Jesus: "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). Let our hearts be moved to action by the needs we see around us, and let our hands be ready to serve. In doing so, we help those in need and reflect the love and compassion of Christ... in whose name we gather to do what we do.
