Mark 12:30-31

When asked which commandment was most important, Jesus did not hesitate. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

As Christians, we instinctively know that loving God is our main job. How could we not love the One who loved us first and has blessed us so richly? I think Jesus gave us the second commandment knowing it wouldn’t be as straightforward or easy.

Which neighbors are we talking about? The one who brings us fresh-baked banana bread? The one who keeps an eye on our house when we are away? The one whose dog does its business in our yard with nary a poop bag in sight? Are people at school and work considered neighbors? What about atheists? Muslims? Transgender people? Addicts? The mentally ill? The hard answer is yes; all these people are our neighbors, and Jesus commands us to love them.

The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that a neighbor can be someone from a different culture, a different status, or someone we have never even met (Luke 10:25-37). When we see or hear of someone in need, we should think of them as our neighbor. This is why so many churches have meal trains, clothing drives, diaper donations, sponsorships for children in disadvantaged countries, and other organized ways to help others.

Loving our neighbors can be an everyday action as well. Let’s say you’re going to the grocery store. You grab a cart on your way in that someone left in a parking space. You help an elderly woman reach a box she can’t get from her motorized scooter. You make faces at a grumpy toddler to make him laugh. You return a coupon to someone who didn’t notice it was dropped. You compliment the cashier who looks overworked. You have loved on many neighbors, and it didn’t cost you a thing.

There’s a third part to these commandments that’s hidden in the second one: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Many Christians spend time, effort, money, and prayers loving their family, friends, church, and other neighbors. This is as it should be. But do we also love ourselves? We offer grace to others when they invariably mess up, but do we offer that same grace to ourselves? God loves us and forgives us in spite of our many faults. While we are loving and forgiving our neighbors, let’s remember that God says we are worthy of love, also.
This week, be on the lookout for neighbors you could show some love to. Keep in mind that those who need love the most are often those who seem the most unlovable!