How to Neighbor

Melissa Logsdon – November 20, 2023 1 Comment

“How do you be a neighbor?”

This is a question, sincerely asked, by a long time church goer, leader, and I believe, a genuine, albeit a bit confused, Christ follower.

How is it that a message so central to the gospel, to all of scriptures, can be so lost, so confusing? How we so easily miss the forest for the trees! 

Jesus doesn’t make it difficult. He explains neighboring so clearly in teachings such as this one on giving a cup of water to someone. And, by boiling neighboring down to such a simple gesture—Jesus makes it possible for us all to fulfill. All we are asked to do is to attend to the basic needs of someone right in front of us, however we are able: providing food, water, shelter, companionship.

(This passage is taken from the gospel reading in the Revised Lectionary for November 26th: Matthew 25:31-46):

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 

Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”

(Matthew 25:34‭-‬40 NLT)

During this holiday season, instead of feeling overwhelmed by the needs of so many in the world to the point of paralysis of action, may we focus on the one right in front of us. May we pause from our normal routines and busyness and see the one that may benefit from us being a neighbor to them: invite someone to join you for a walk on a gorgeous fall day, or over for a cup of hot tea to make for a cozy afternoon of warmth and friendship. Think of who you could invite, maybe someone who might enjoy one less lonely evening, to join you for one of your holiday rituals, like driving around to admire the holiday light displays. It can be as simple as having someone over for a bowl of soup or an evening of lively conversation and a rousing round of a board game.

Whatever, you think to do, act on it! It’s enough. It’s never too small. It makes a difference for the one in front of you—your neighbor—and it matters to Jesus, who we are ultimately serving in these acts of neighboring! 

–Melissa Logsdon, Interim Associate Pastor

November 21, 2023