Jeshurun's Mind: Spiritual Food

The Model For Relations Between Fellow Human Beings

      Harmonious relations between fellow human beings is an essential prerequisite for their very own existence. The world we are living in would be serene and beautiful if each of its inhabitants learnt to do unto others as he or she would like them do unto him or her. If every individual showed earnest solicitude for his or her neighbor, the universe would be a haven of love, unity and tranquility. Unfortunately, that is not the present case because many of a people's love grew cold long time ago. We no longer care for each other, and when we do, it is only for our very close family members and friends, or we want something in return.

The plight of others do not bother us at all, either because we are never interested in their affairs, or we ourselves already have too many problems to deal with. Regrettably, we are oblivious to the fact that we have contributed to many of the life's difficulties we are currently grappling with. We certainly do not understand that our predicaments can easily be consigned into oblivion if we ceased looking only for our own interests and developed a deep concern for the interests of others too.

      At one time when the Lord Jesus silenced Sadducees who disputed the existence of resurrection, the Pharisees got together and one of them, a lawyer, while testing Him, sought to know the greatest commandment. On being asked by Jesus what the Law said about the matter, he answered correctly,

“...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:34-40; Luke 10:25-27, KJV).

But wanting to justify himself, the expert in law further asked Jesus who his neighbor was. In reply, Jesus narrated the Parable of the Good Samaritan. 
 

      A certain man was going down from Jerusalem when he fell into the hands of robbers who stripped him of his clothes, wounded him and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance, a priest (whom many rightfully expect would rush to the man's side and help him) happened to go down the same road. However when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side and went away. Likewise, a Levite (whom many also expect to be at the forefront helping the needy and wounded) came to the place and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

But when a Samaritan came where the man was and saw him, he had compassion on him. He bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, set the man on his own donkey and brought him to an inn. The next day as he departed, he took out two silver coins (Greek: Two Denarii), and gave them to the inn keeper, requesting him to take care of the man. He also promised to cover all the expenses that the man would have used by the time he came back. The lawyer singled out the Samaritan when Jesus asked him which of the three was a neighbour to the wounded man. Then said Jesus unto him, “Go, and do thou likewise.”(Luke 10:37, KJV).

      Many a times in our daily lives, we, for one reason or another, hold ourselves back from giving succour to the poor, the sick, the wounded and the needy in general. We probably assume that it is not our responsibility to assist them or that they will definitely get help from somewhere or somebody else. In other instances, we obstinately refuse to forgive those who have wronged us despite knowing all too well that we are also prone to wronging others. Ironically, the Lord's Prayer, especially the part which implores God to “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” is continually in our mouths. What you and I need to realize is that any act of kindness or cruelty done to a fellow human being touches God's heart and He reacts accordingly, since we are created in His image. 
 

“...He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”(Proverbs 19:17,NIV).

“...Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.”(Exodus 22:22-24, KJV).

Sadly, the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel (Proverbs 12.10). On the other hand, walking blamelessly, working righteousness and dealing well with our neighbors draws us closer to God.

“...LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”(Psalm 15:1-3, KJV).

      When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, He shall sit upon the throne of His glory. And before Him shall be gathered all nations, and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand,

“Come, you who are blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, Naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me.”

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, 
 

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you or thirsty, and gave you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger, and invited you in? or naked, and clothed you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to visit you?”

And the King shall answer and say unto them,

“Verily I say unto you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand,

“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in, naked, and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison, and you did not look after me.”

Then shall they also answer him, saying,

“Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you?”

Then shall he answer them, saying,

“Verily I say unto you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.(Matthew 25:31-46).

      In conclusion, let you and I fervently pray, seek and strive to always exhort old men as fathers and:

“...Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”(1 Timothy 5:1-2, NIV).