A new Chapter and a new Quest begins with this page, a quest for Solace on Loving Neighbor as Self. Methinks, the primary way, in fact the most important way, that I might love my neighbor is help any who would lend an ear, to come to learn about the Most High God, Jehovah and the wonderful promises that he had made to all those who do come to learn about him.

Yes, this endeavor for me to do more at helping these ones began a few months ago and now my goal is to intensify the work ever more so as I see the day drawing near. (2 Peter 3: 11-12)

In the 22nd chapter of the book of Matthew is recorded a conversation between a Pharisee, one who was a lawyer, and Jesus. In verse 35, it tells that this Pharisee came up to Jesus and to test him, asked the question, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?.

In reply in Matthew 22: 37-38, Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. However, Jesus then added in verses 39-40: And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

In Luke 10: 29-37, another man, also versed in the Law had a conversation with Jesus and when the need to love thy thy neighbor as thyself came up, the same man, wanting to prove himself righteous, said to Jesus: Who really is my neighbor?

In reply, Jesus then said to him, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. The parable that follows is the story of how both a priest and a Levite passed by the man and passed by on the opposite side. But, a certain Samaritan, who as the account goes, upon seeing him was moved with pity, bandaged his wounds, and upon his own animal brought him to an inn where he took care of him there.

After telling the entire parable, Jesus asked the lawyer, Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? who answered, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

In the parable, one might expect that an Israelite priest and a Levite would show compassion like a good neighbor when they saw a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left half-dead. However, they crossed to the opposite side of the road and passed him by without doing a thing to help the man. Instead, the man who had been robbed was helped by a Samaritan, a person of a different nationality. The Samaritans were held in contempt by the Jews, even though most of that nation of people held deep respect for the Mosaic Law.

So, from this parable, it is easy to see who proved to be the real neighbor of the wounded man, and this parable from Jesus teaches us to show compassion and love for our neighbor and not just those we have a liking for but all people who we come upon in our life. Yes, Jesus is both our teacher and our exemplar in that he did put into practice what he taught his disciples.

Herein are the travels of one wayfarer endeavoring to Go and Do Likewise.