God's original design for humanity was one united human family, without social, economic, or ethnic divisions, all following His way of living. While we were created for community and relationships, sin has severely damaged these connections, leading to division, hatred, and isolation in our world today.
In Luke 10, Jesus addresses this question through the Parable of the Good Samaritan. When asked "Who is my neighbor?", Jesus tells a story that challenges the cultural and religious prejudices of his time. He intentionally makes a Samaritan - someone despised by the Jewish audience - the hero who shows mercy to a wounded Jewish man, while religious leaders pass by without helping.
The choice of a Samaritan was shocking because:
Jews and Samaritans had a deep historical hatred
Religious writings discouraged Jews from helping Samaritans
It challenged the Jewish belief that salvation was only for them
It demonstrated God's love extends beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries
This week, consider these questions:
Who are the "Samaritans" in your life - people you naturally avoid or dislike?
Are you living in a bubble of people who think and act just like you?
How can you intentionally show kindness to someone who is different from you?
Challenge: Identify one "enemy" or person you struggle with and take a specific action to show them Christ-like love this week. Remember, this isn't about accepting wrong behavior, but about treating everyone with the dignity they deserve as beings created in God's image.
The church should be a preview of heaven's diversity - people from all backgrounds united under Christ. Let's work to make that vision a reality through our daily interactions with others.