To be fair, there is some level of exclusiveness to the Christian faith itself. Jesus clearly states in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Yet this thought must always be paired with what Paul shares in Romans. “For God does not show favoritism. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.”
Ultimately, Jesus is declaring to the man claiming to be an expert in the law that everyone is our neighbor. We are called to love and show kindness to all.
Bethany Christian Services, the organization I’m privileged to lead, affirms that every person deserves to feel safe, loved and connected. Our staff work tirelessly to make sure that actually happens for vulnerable children and their families, no matter what the felt need is.
Some families need strengthening during hard times, help with transportation, or references to health care. Some children need adoption, others need foster care. Would-be foster parents need training and guidance.
This is the quiet but transformative work of biblical hospitality and Christian love.
In some ways, Christian teachings such as Biblical hospitality feel radical. Many Christian teachings were revolutionary during Christ’s life, and most remain so today.
There is nothing more radical or transformative than love, chosen freely and daily over the course of a life. The question of “who is my neighbor” is compelling, certainly, but it’s the wrong one.
Jesus doesn’t want us to invest our time discerning who is our neighbor. He calls us into himself, into the unthinkably vast peace and joy of serving all who need us—wherever they might appear.
