Love Thy Neighbour
“Hello Neighbor” (Fred Rogers)
Many of us remember those famous words from the humble yet wildly popular daytime children’s program called, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood.” The program aired for 31 seasons! (1979-2001 approx.) I mean no disrespect to Fred Rogers, but being a good neighbour is an idea that is as old as civilization itself. “Love thy neighbour” stands as a cornerstone teaching in both Judaism and Christianity, quoted by Moses and Jesus Christ. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that all major religions have this high ideal as a core tenet of their belief system (whether or not we achieve it, as we all hope, is another matter).
Fred Rogers captured the simplicity of Jesus’ teaching in one single reminder: you have to speak to your neighbour in order to be a good neighbour. It’s one of my beefs with living in Mississauga (any major city for that matter). People don’t speak to each other as much as one would hope. I’m a bit weary of the slogan “we’re all in this together” while, for the most part, neighbours don’t even acknowledge each other. It’s not uncommon to be out walking or jogging in my neighbourhood and observe most people staring at the ground rather than offering a smile or a “hello neighbour.” It’s too sad. Try greeting someone at Square One and they will either ignore you or look annoyed. Occasionally, someone smiles back.
This teaching to “love thy neighbour” goes way beyond a simple “hello.” You have to make time to build relationships, and relationships begin by caring for others, as we have the opportunity to do so. Caring about others should be relatively easy for the Christian because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who pours God’s love into our hearts. Remember the simple order of the greatest commandment? “Love the Lord your God” and “love your neighbour as yourself.” The fuel for being a good neighbour is loving the Lord with all your life.
If the aim is to “love thy neighbour” in sincere relationship, I have to give you a simple warning. Relationships are greatly hindered when we label, judge or become argumentative over politics, religion and current events. Leave lots of room for your neighbours to feel safe in expressing their opinions in your presence.
Now to the hard part and the really high standard. The goal of being a good neighbour is to live as if Jesus is the one who lives in your house. Bold? Yes. Difficult? Yes. Intimidating? Yes, yes, yes. But the New Testament says that we are to live in this world as if we were Jesus, “because as He is so also are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). We are to walk as He walked, i.e., live our lives as He modeled. We are to love as He loves by being the kind of neighbour Jesus would be if He now lived in my neighbourhood.
We are blessed as Christians to have the Lord Jesus Himself elevate the core belief that we are to be good neighbours as He did. It makes perfect sense to me that one can’t really be a good neighbour and never talk about the subject of Jesus, who He is, what He came to do and the fact that He is coming back again (to name a few).
Church family, be the best neighbour you can be by sharing the good news that eternal life is promised by faith in the Son of God. Share the Gospel as God opens the door to your neighbour’s heart. “Love thy neighbour” as He loved you into salvation by faith.
Pastor Deric
My Prayer for the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Pastor Deric