Love your neighbor

Atlanta neighborhoods are quite varied. Some neighborhoods are quite friendly, with neighbors knowing each other, while others are less friendly, with neighbors never getting to know each other.
One day recently, I heard our two year old grand daughter, her soft little voice singing ever so sweetly, “Love your neighbor, love your neighbor,” along with the DVD. She loves Veggie Tales.
And then yesterday she went on to demonstrate that very idea. As I watched her and her sister play at the neighborhood park, she practiced the principle by offering to take turns and share with her sister.
She didn’t do so for reward or even praise, she did it because her parents are instilling in her the importance of being kind and thoughtful to her sister and to others.
Jesus explained fully the meaning and application of, “Love your neighbor in the following passage:
“He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, 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. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10:26-37 (KJV)
Our grand daughter doesn’t know these scriptures yet, but she does understand that she is to be kind and thoughtful, considering others. It’s the lesson that Jesus taught to the crowds, so many years ago. It is still applicable today.
http://www.biblegateway.com