As people, we all have comfort zones, boundaries, or lines that we do not want to be crossed. Whether it be a location, a thought process, or a group of people, we all have things in our lives that we choose to associate with and choose to stay away from.

Though it is not a bad thing to have levels of comfort or boundary lines, it can become a problem when those lines become so firm in the sand that we choose to live in our lives in such a way that we can lose sight what God has called us to do. We shut people out that aren’t in our close friend group, we keep our distance from those different from us, we only reside in certain areas that we feel comfortable in, and we often do not extend a helping hand if it is inconvenient to us.

In the Old Testament, Jewish people had good reason set strong boundaries between themselves and the Samaritans. They did not associate with each other based on conflicts in many customs, beliefs, and holy sites. In addition, due to the conquest of the Assyrians, Samaritans were not considered Jewish people because of the interbreeding that happened when they were conquered. This created a very volatile and emotional line drawn, boundary set, common understanding of comfort between the two peoples to not join.

In Luke Chapter 10:25-37, Jesus shows us that God is Love and paints the picture in depth in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Beginning in verse 29, A man asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, with a story: A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along, and when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but also passed by on the other side.”

Both of these men described in this parable were associated with the church and had an opportunity to help a man in need. And yet, due to the lines draw, the boundaries between Jewish people, and the fear of association, each man simply walked right passed the suffering man.

Jesus continues his story, “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If the bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you next time I’m here.’”

Jesus goes on to ask the expert in religious law, the man who asks him how to know who his neighbor is, which man would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits? The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Jesus calls us to follow him fully in all areas of our lives. Even if it is uncomfortable or scary – or against the comfort zones of those set around us.

It is important to remember that the Samaritan was also crossing a line in the story, risking his own standing by showing mercy and love. At the time, Samaritans believed their temple of worship was Mt. Gerazim, not Jerusalem. This man, The Good Samaritan, was in Judea traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. This means the man who helped the beaten man on the road had already crossed lines and boundaries of comfort in order to be used by God. The Samaritan was willing to risk his own safety and reputation in order to help the suffering man and get him to safety. He gave his time, money, donkey, and risked his travels to help another.

The religious law expert tested Jesus by asking, “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied through the law of Moses, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength, and all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.”

As you reflect on these words and this scripture passage this week, consider these questions:

1. What is one way you can show love to the neighbors around you this week?

2. Write out a prayer to God today to ask for help in loving your neighbors. Ask to have eyes to see those who are struggling around you and to have the courage and faith to help them.

Connect with more information about the Love For All Weekly Devotion and additional resources at SPLDECATUR.ORG/LOVEFORALL and SHARE your thoughts, questions, and prayers with us HERE.