LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

5.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

The second commandment of the two that Jesus stated all of the Law and the Prophets depend on this the command to love our neighbor as ourself. At first glance, that might seem “do-able”, and not such a big deal until we dive deep into Scripture to fully understand the meaning of the Scripture and the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor.

The word for love that Matthew used to most accurately capture Jesus’ word in Matthew 22:28 used is “agapao”. We are already famiiar with this word because “agapao” the same word that the Apostle Mark used to record this same teaching of Jesus in Mark 12:30, and Luke used to record the teaching in Luke 10:27. The word is used to describe both how we are commanded to love God and how we are commanded to love our neighbor.

Because there are numerous Greek words for love that have varying meanings, It is wonderful so see the consistency of meaning captured by the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ teaching. It helps us capture the intent of Jesus’ teaching when we understand the kind of love we are commanded to have towards God and our neighbor.

If you recall, in context, Jesus is responding to questioning by a lawyer, or expert in the Law. The intent is to trip Jesus up, discrediting Him before His ever growing crowd of

followers. We discovered that Jesus answered the question by quoting the Law (Old Testament), and the same holds true regarding the teaching on loving one’s neighbor. In Leviticus 19:18, the Lord is clear about the commandment to love one’s neighbor, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (ESV).

In Leviticus, the Hebrew word for love is “‘ahab”, pronounced “aw-hab’”. The de8 finition is very clearly human love, including love of family, friends, and lovers. It can also be used to describe the human love for God. It is relational, and can be interchanged with the word beloved, lover, friend, or dearly love.

The word for neighbor in Matthew 22:39 is “plesion”, pronounced “play-see’-on”. It means a friend, a fellow 9 citizen (Jewish nation), and according to Jesus, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet.

The word for neighbor in Leviticus 19:18 is “rea’”, pronounced “ray’ah”. One’s neighbor is defined here as a friend, intimate friend, fellow-citizen, and another person.

There is a difference in the meaning of the “love your neighbor” between the command in Leviticus and the command of Jesus. The word neighbor in Leviticus appears to be limited to those we are in relationship with or our fellow citizens. Because the word denotes affection, this makes sense in this passage. It should be noted that the Old Testament does not teach hate for one’s enemies, but continues to call God’s people to act justly. For example, in Exodus 23:4-5, 4 “If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey

8 Retrieved 06/05/22 from https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/ahab.html

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Retrieved 06/05/22 from https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/ greek/nas/plesion.html

going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.” ESV

There is a charge to do justly, but the Old Testament does not expand the definition of neighbor to nations outside of Israel or one’s enemy.

By now you should see the dilemma setting up here. Jesus already taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:43-48) that we should love our enemies. Remember the definition of the word “agapao” - to welcome, entertain, be fond of, and to love dearly! The concept of loving one’s enemies, taken literally, would be offensive to the Jewish religious leaders. Gentiles were considered unclean, in some instances calling them “dogs”, “unclean”, and the “uncircumcision”. and Jewish people could not eat with them or enter their homes. One example of this is from John 18:18, where the Jewish leaders were working feverishly on the execution of Jesus but would not enter to headquarters of the Roman governor to prevent defilement.

“Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.” John 18:28 ESV

In context, you can understand why the Jewish lawyer was questioning Jesus about love of neighbor, because His words would undo the entire system of remaining pure from the Jewish perspective. Jesus is commanding love of one’s enemy - affection, fondness, welcome, and even entertaining which is impossible under Jewish law. How could it be possible for Jesus to teach Jewish people to love and entertain Gentiles?

Do we carry similar prejudices, considering certain people unclean, unwelcome, and not worthy of our affection?

JESUS IS CALLING US TO A HIGHER STANDARD, A MUCH MESSIER, LESS RELIGIOUS KIND OF LOVE.

We must examine our own hearts to identify where we are lacking in love of our neighbor and yes, even our enemies!

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Are there people that, while you probably haven’t labelled them “unclean”, you have written off in your mind and heart? Describe who and why:

In light of Jesus’ commandment to love one’s neighbor, which expands to everyone we know, including our enemies, how do you need to change your attitudes and actions?

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

John 13:34 ESV