Dear Christian friends:

"Love thy neighbor." We have all heard that command many times before. It seems so simple and easy to do. Just three little words: "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR." Perhaps we pat ourselves on the back and think or say, "That's good; that's right. I have always loved my neighbor."

Have you really loved your neighbor? We should think about that question today. If people really loved their neighbor, we would have a beautiful and perfect world, no sin and no law-breaking. We would not need any police, courts or prisons. Our taxes would be much lower.

In our text, which is the Epistle Lesson for this Sunday, St. Paul explains about this beautiful command: "Love Thy Neighbor." It is not easy to do. So let us attend to our text and find help to really


What does it mean to love your neighbor? I think many people are not aware of all the implications joined with that simple command. There is much misunderstanding about what these three little words mean. Many people in ignorance and blindness say, "I have always loved my neighbor."

Who is your neighbor? One day a Jewish Law teacher asked Jesus that question. This Jewish Law teacher did not know who was his neighbor. Do you know? Who is your neighbor? Is it the person or persons who live next door by your house or across the street? Yes, they are your neighbors, but what about the poor black people who live in south, central L.A.? Are they your neighbors? Who is your neighbor? Those people who are kind and good to you? Your friends? Yes, they are your neighbors, but what about those neighbors who are not good and kind to you? Are they your neighbors? Is your enemy your neighbor?

When the Jewish Law teacher asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus told him the story of the Good Samaritan who helped a stranger and his enemy, a Jew. The Samaritans and Jews hated each other, but this Samaritan in Jesus' story helped the Jew who had been beaten and robbed. Jesus teaches that everyone is our neighbor, no matter if they are friends or enemies; no matter if they are good or bad; no matter if they are black or white, red or yellow or any other color skin. Every man, woman, and child on earth is my neighbor.

What does it mean to love your neighbor? It means to obey the Second Table of the Ten Commandments. In our text St. Paul writes, "Owe no man anything except to love one another; because he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The Commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandments, are summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (verses 8-9)

If you really love your neighbor, you will perfectly keep and obey the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Commandments, Do you know these seven commandments? Can you explain to me what they mean? Long ago in Sunday School and Confirmation Class you studied these seven commandments and memorized the meanings which Martin Luther wrote in his Small Catechism. Perhaps you have forgotten these seven commandments and their meanings. You have not read and studied your Catechism for many years. How can you obey these seven commandments if you don't know them any more? How can you really love your neighbor if you don't know the seven commandments?

Those of you who know and remember these seven commandments should also be aware that you have not really kept them or obeyed them. Many know the law, but they do not obey it. We all must feel ashamed and guilty when we remember the Fourth Commandment, "Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother." You know this means to love and obey parents, teachers, rulers and pastors, all whom God has placed over you in the home, state, school and church. With shame and guilt we remember the Fifth Commandment, which says, "Thou shalt not kill." We know that it means we should not hate anyone or be angry and try to get revenge, but love him and help him in every bodily need. We know that we have often hated someone and tried to get revenge. We know that we have often been selfish and refused to share our food and money with the poor and needy. With shame and guilt we remember the Sixth Commandment, which says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." We know that we have often committed adultery in our hearts and minds, if not in deeds. With shame and a red face we remember the Seventh Commandment, which says, "Thou shalt not steal." We know that we have stolen and cheated in many various ways. With regret and sorrow we remember the Eighth Commandment, which says, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." We know that we have told lies about others and gossipped about others and failed to defend someone who was not here to defend himself. We remember the Ninth and Tenth Commandments, which forbid coveting. With tears and shame we must confess that we have often felt jealousy and envy against our friends and neighbors. We did not want to celebrate with them in their good fortunes. Sometimes we even felt glad when they had troubles and problems and laughed.

Where can we get the love to obey these seven commandments? Where can we get a new heart and spirit? How can we be born again so that we can love our neighbor? Who can help us in our sin and shame?

Only God can help us, and He has helped us. He has sent His only Son, Jesus, to keep these seven commandments for us, and to suffer the punishment for our law-breaking. When Jesus lived here on earth for 33 years he perfectly obeyed these commandments. He always loved His neighbor, even His enemies. If we believe in Jesus, we receive His perfect righteousness. Also on the cross Jesus suffered the eternal punishment which we have deserved by our law-breaking, our rebellion against God and hate for our neighbor. In Jesus God forgives all our shameful wrongs and sins against each other. He is a kind and merciful God. He loves and forgives His enemies. He loves and forgives us.

By faith in Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit also. The Spirit gives us new birth and new life so that we can begin to love our neighbor, both our friendly neighbors and our unfriendly ones, our enemies, both the good and the bad and all races of men. Daily look to God's love in Jesus and you will find grace to love your neighbor as yourself.

Amen.