On his site, Wesley White asks this question: "How many different ways can you speak about the importance of neighbors?"
He's talking about the Amos text for the lectionary on the 11th (7:7-17), but I think the question is more pervasive than that. How many times can Jesus speak about the importance of neighbors? How many times can God try to shake it into us that our concerns are few but overwhelming in their importance: love God, love neighbor.
I also really like Rev. Richard Fairchild's take on this Luke text in one of his sermons. He writes:
"It has been suggested - and I think rightly so given some of the teachings of the time and the reality of human nature at all times, that the lawyer
is really asking Jesus:
"Who is NOT my neighbour? Who is that I am allowed to ignore or to neglect? Perhaps even to hate? What is the minimal thing that I need to do to keep God's law of love - and what can I safely get away with not doing...
That is a horrifying approach to keeping the law of God isn't it? Who must I love - and who can I get away with not loving...
It is a horrifying approach to keeping the law of God - but it makes sense when you think about it; it makes sense when you look at the world and consider the problems within it."
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