²⁸One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  ²⁹“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.30 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.‘ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Jesus took the answer one step further showing that genuine love for God is followed in importance by a genuine love for others. In Luke’s version of this same debate/exchange between Jesus and the scribe, the scribe asks Jesus “And who is my neighbor?“  (Luke 10: 29).  We read and memorize these verses of scripture but I wonder: just how well do we practice them?

Last Friday my youngest son, Ricky, was looking out our living room window and noticed one of our neighbors, an elderly gentleman, having some trouble walking. I know this man just in passing. He is in his late 70’s and lives alone in his apartment. We have said “hello” almost everyday for the last two years that I have lived in my complex. We make small talk about the weather but that has been the extent of our discussions. I have noticed that in all of the time I have been here, no one ever visits him. His health has deteriorated. He has gone from driving his car, to riding a bicycle and now only takes the bus. This last Friday as he walked near the pool area, my son yelled out to me as he saw this man fall and apparently unable to get back up. I ran out the door with my cell phone to where he was laying. I asked if he was able to get up and when he said no, I immediately called 911.  The 911 dispatcher began to asked me a series of basic questions starting with: “What is the gentleman’s name?” I could not believe it. I didn’t even know his name.  As I asked him his name, I felt shame.  How was it that I spoke with him on almost a daily basis and I never even asked his name? David George. I will not forget it any time soon.

David was admitted to the hospital. He was released from the hospital late Sunday. Then Monday (yesterday) came and I was pretty busy. Each time I passed by David’s apartment I would glance over to see if he was in. I didn’t see him all day which is rare - he keeps his blinds and windows wide open and you can always see him sitting in his chair listening to jazz or opera. But I was busy with my own things and I didn’t stop by to check on him. Later in the day after I had finished my running around I took a closer look at his apartment and to my shock saw him laying on the floor. I knocked and although he was conscious, he didn’t even look toward the door. I immediately summoned the manager to open the door. When we walked in it was apparent he had been laying there for most of the day, his leg twisted/broken like I have never seen before, he was soiled and incoherent. Once again I called 911, this time able to provide his name, age and medical issues he has. But then I began to wonder about how long he must have been laying there in pain; why didn’t I take a closer look earlier? It wouldn’t have taken me but a second. There really wasn’t any excuse.

And that’s how most people live their lives, too busy to care about who their neighbors are or if they have any needs.  Jesus tells us that the second greatest commandment is that we love our neighbors as ourselves. Is this really how we love ourselves?  Far from it. This experience has given me a great awakening and a compassion I have never before felt. For those who do not know Christ, we can almost excuse this failure to care.  But we know Christ and we have experienced His incredible love for us and He has taught us how we are to respond to others. So what holds us back? Why do we keep living our lives just like the rest of the world? I think it’s time we examine our hearts and determine what changes and attitudes we truly need to make in our lives so that our genuine love for God is expressed toward our neighbors and anyone else we may come in contact with. While this has been a most unpleasant experience, it has been a learning experience. I pray I will never be the same again.