Was it just people you know, or love? Or was it everyone?
Jesus had a pure love, an agapa type love, is that what He expects of us?
2006-11-01 16:27:28 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your question is almost word-for-word in the Bible!
And Jesus Himself answered this question!
So if you are wondering who Jesus meant, read what He said in Luke 10:27-37! Who cares what the rest of us think! If you really want to know what HE meant, than read His answer to your question:
27...'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
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A little bit of knowledge about a "priest", "Levite", and a "Samaritan" would give this even MORE meaning...power and impact:
A priest, of course, is suppose to care for the flock; the people of God. The are the official representation of God to the people.
A Levite served as a an assistant to the priest.
However, a Samaritan was looked down upon...the Jews hated Samaritans. They were enemies. In fact, Jews would travel a GREAT distance to travel around the area that the Samaritans lived in order to avoid them! Talk about racism!
And here, in the illustration, an ENEMY (Samaritan) helps and loves a JEW!
This was a STRIKING picture to behold (and decidedly anti-racist).
Essential what Jesus was saying was, "Love (even thy enemy) as thy self".
And, indeed, Jesus said EXACTLY this in His great sermon:
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48
It could not be any clearer than this, could it?
You are exactly right - Jesus had a pure love, an agape type love...and YES, that is exactly what He expects of us! Nothing less!
Jesus LOVED His enemies. We have all sinned...and ALL of us fall short of the glory of God. NONE of us love like He loves! YET, in His amazing grace, mercy, and love, He still yet loved us (while we were ENEMIES of Him)...and even died for us!
Imagine that! Jesus DIED for His enemies! THIS is how much He loves us! Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends. And in dying for us, we go from being His enemy to being His friend.
And by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we can know Him...and be FILLED with His love for others. Therefore, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to love as He loves! For He has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind!
What good news! What a Gospel!
Praise His glorious name!
Amen and Amen!
2006-11-01 17:08:58 · answer #1 · answered by yachadhoo 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Keep being as pure as you can.
Your neighbor is everyone - like you thought.
Yes, again you are right, it is a love like you have for your cousins and brother/sisters. Wanting the best for your neighbor, etc.
Of course this is NOT a physical love, which you also know, but had to say. Jesus did not want that!
You have a very clear understanding of this.
I hope no one ruins this by being too human, and disappointing your perception of all humans.
Peace.
2006-11-01 16:34:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He means 'love EVERYONE'. That's what the parable of the Good Samaritan was about. The Jews and the Samaritans were like Muslims and Infidels today. They hated each other. Yet the GS gave of his time and treasure to aid a Jew who was in need. We are expected to aid one another despite cultural and physical differences. The early Christians understood this. Even their enemies said, 'see how they love one another'.
2006-11-01 16:42:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everybody.
The story he told was a common one, but instead of a Samaritan it would usually have a Pharasee.
Samaritans were considered the blood enemies of Jews (because they were decended of Jews who intermarried with non-Jews) and therefore no Jew would consider them a "Neighbor".
Evidence of this can be seen in the Jewish mans answer to Jesus a the end of the story when he wouldn't even say that the Samaritan was the neighbor but instead said "the man who showed mercy".
Oh, and yes that's definitly what he expects of us.
2006-11-01 16:32:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your neighbour is everyone other than your own person.
Jesus knew something we don't and I suspect is this: We are all related in this or in previous incarnations.
There is a popular motto that says: greet everyone, you never know when you are greeting your father.
I think a magnificent example of why we should love everyone was told in the movie Jean De Florette.
2006-11-01 16:38:59 · answer #5 · answered by flugelberry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is all about loving everybody.... as Jesus pointed out... "your neighbor" then someone asked him again who are their neighbors.... Jesus again answered that their neighbor is like the story or a "Parable of the Good Samaritan" if you know who are your neighbors... go and love him/her... do what Jesus have told you..... keep on loving!!!!!
2006-11-01 16:34:42 · answer #6 · answered by bugi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This has proven to be the most difficult of all of Jesus's teachings to follow. It is almost never advocated by Christian teachers, or if so, put aside at crunch time. Mother Teresa embodied it better than anyone as she treated the poor in India with this teaching in mind. She said that to her, anyone she met; the poorest of the poor, the worst of the worst, she treated each one as if that one was Jesus. For most of us, we offer "yes, but..." answers to this one, saying that in the real world that is not possible. But that is exactly what Jesus message is, to do what we consider impossible. I would love to hear this message advocated by christian ministers instead of what we are hearing today.
2006-11-01 16:31:35 · answer #7 · answered by michaelsan 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jesus meant everyone, even your enemies i.e to have a compassionate & agape heart for all. I know - that's a tall order, perhaps, we can start by loving those close to us first & loving means caring, forgiveness, thoughfulness
of others' well being.
2006-11-01 16:46:42 · answer #8 · answered by shannondelaney 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus meant everybody you come in contact with.
If you follow his life story you will see that each person Jesus came in contact with was treated well and fair. Regardless of their past. Jesus loved all, and wants us to do the same.
2006-11-01 16:30:06 · answer #9 · answered by Norm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Loving your neighbour is loving everyone. When I was growing up, I was shown by a teacher in my private school a chart that has an order in how you should love:
Jesus
Others
You
The first letter of each word forms JOY. To have joy, this is how you should love.
2006-11-01 18:42:45 · answer #10 · answered by ironchain15 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋