Can I tell y’all something? Because I am the baby of my family, I grew up as if it was all about me. Whatever baby girl wanted she basically got it. If I didn’t want to do chores, I didn’t really have to do them. However, as I got older and became a follower of Jesus, I learned that my selfishness and all about me attitude doesn’t work that way in Jesus’ economy. Jesus had to teach me about sacrifice and that my life was no longer my own; it was not about me. I would often times have issues when I would give and do and be everything for everybody else, but I wouldn’t receive that same love or forgiveness or an ear to listen in return until I found the answer in God‘s word….Love your neighbor as yourself.

Talking to the disciples in Luke chapter 10 verse 27, Jesus didn’t say love your neighbor as yourself when they love you back. Jesus did not instruct us to love our neighbor solely on the condition that they return the kindness we have shown them. Y’all there is no stipulation on loving your neighbor as yourself. You just do it and leave everything else in the hands of Jesus so “Don’t Go to the Other Side”. (“The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27)

In Luke 10:29-37, a lawyer asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life, and Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the story, a Jewish man is attacked by robbers and left injured on the road. While a priest and a Levite pass by without helping, a Samaritan, who is traditionally despised by Jews, stops to assist and takes care of the man. Jesus finishes by urging the lawyer to follow the Samaritan’s example of compassion, illustrating that true neighborly love transcends social boundaries and prejudices. Jesus was in fact telling the lawyer, “Don’t Go to the Other Side”.

We live in a selfish, busy world. We either ignore the concerns or problems of others or we simply are like the priest and the Levite-we don’t want to be bothered. However, 1 John 3:17 says, “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?” John is reminding us that a real Christian’s love is demonstrated through actions, particularly in caring for others, especially those in need.

So, since we are mandated to love and show mercy to one another “Don’t Go to the Other Side”.