fire in the Jim se Bos area on Christmas

There was a fire in the Jim se Bos area on Christmas. A member of the Vuku community was among those who lost their house. Missionaries Jung and Joy, along with other Vuku members, did their best to help out, but many needs still remain unmet. Please keep them in your prayers.

 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had m

Written by Jung 

"Who is my neighbor?"

The expert in the law who asked this question was trying to justify himself. He sought affirmation that he was good enough for salvation because he loved God and his neighbors, with 'neighbors' referring to fellow Israelites.

There are three barriers that the expert in the law from the Samaritan in the story possesses. First, approaching a dead or seemingly dead body was ritually taboo. Second, a Samaritan approaching a Jew, or vice versa, was also culturally frowned upon. Thirdly, the victim had been violently attacked by robbers. The assailants might still be nearby, posing a threat to anyone who stopped, making it seem wiser to quickly leave the area.

However, the Samaritan broke these ritual, cultural, and personal norms to extend love to the wounded man. Doesn't this resonate with understanding Jesus' heart?

From this perspective, our neighbors are those who understand the value and preciousness of Jesus' love and are willing to share it, regardless of the cost. Love them as yourself, and they will reciprocate in His name. This is how the community of believers begins.

Jesus replied, “Do this and you will live.”