By Katie Matthews

A friend of mine recently told me about the idea of Global Citizenship or World Citizenship. This term is usually defined as, “a person who
places their identity with a ‘global community’ above their identity as a citizen of a particular nation or place.The idea is that one’s identity transcends geography or political borders…” Though the terminology was new, the basis of the idea was not.

In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus is asked by a lawyer, “Teacher what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds with a question, “What is
written in the Law? How do you read it?” (verse 26). The lawyer responds, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus affirms his answer but is
quickly met with another question. Verse 29, “But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”

Using two completely different and opposing people groups to demonstrate the idea of love and mercy was something unheard of to the
Jews at this time . Throughout the Old Testament we see God instructing the Jews to stay pure because they were His chosen people,
to not intermarry or become influenced by different nations or cultures. They did not listen and their acting out against God further
revealed our need for a savior.

Jesus begins…

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was extremely dangerous, also referred to as the “Way of Blood”, due to all the blood that was shed
at the hands of robbers. Jesus uses a pertinent setting to begin the parable. Jesus tells us this man, “fell among robbers, who stripped
him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.” Who does Jesus describe are the first two men to pass by this wounded man? A priest and then a Levite. Both of whom, “…passed by on the other side,” as to not be bothered with such an inconvenience.

Then comes the Samaritan.
“He had compassion.” Luke 10:33

Jesus tells us that the Samaritan goes on to clean and cares for this man’s wounds, puts him on his own animal and takes him to an inn where he can rest and recover. The following day the Samaritan gives his ONLY money to the owner of the inn, asking the owner to take care of the wounded man for however long it takes until he is well and says he will pay the owner of the inn whatever other costs are aquired.

Jesus finishes the parable by asking, “Which of these three do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” Luke 10:36.

The lawyer responds, “The one who showed him mercy.”

And Jesus says to him, “You go, and do likewise,” Luke 10:37.

A Samaritan and a Jew. Two sects of people that, at this time, hated each other. Jesus used these polarizing characters to get His point
across: Love everyone.

If I am honest, I am guilty of being a priest or levite, walking to the other side of the road as to not become inconvenienced by someone
else’s “wounds”. I use the excuse of having a baby to withdraw from getting involved in other people’s lives. I am guilty.

Last week however, I was was gently reminded of the importance of this unrestricted love.  Long story short there was an altercation between two brothers in the village, and their kids and wives were left scared and shaken. This altercation did not just end with these two families but the hurt and fear permeated into their extended families. Because of our sin things get messy, they get ugly, and many times they hurt the ones we love most.

There is so much heartache in this world, yes we have joy that Christ overcame death and conquered the grave and left us with the Holy
Spirit, but this world is hard. Relationships are hard. And they hurt.

In spite of this heartache we are still called to love and show mercy. We are to walk with people and let the Gospel be the foundation of our relationships, every relationship. We are to view everyone with compassion, because we were first loved, even in the midst of our sin.

I challenge you, who are the people that you do not want to be inconvenienced by? Who are the people you walk to the other side of the street to avoid? How can you better love them? How can you better serve them?

God has reminded me the importance of getting in the battle and staying obedient to two words: make disciples. My prayer is that we
(I) would not become lazy or insensitive to people, that we (I) would take time to invest and nurture relationships, even more so if they
make us uncomfortable.