Loving as Jesus loves

On the fridge hangs my short list of goals from last January. Some of the goals I accomplished. I learned more about garden soil. I finished “tatting” lace like my mother and grandmother used to do. I helped our kids, and spent more time studying scripture. There were other things I didn’t get to, some important and some trivial.

As I think about how I want to improve in the new year, my thoughts turn to my recent study of the Book of Luke. Time after time, Jesus teaches that being “successful” is not nearly as important as being charitable. In these examples Jesus makes it clear that to truly follow him, we must care about and assist those around us.

Consider the story of Lazarus, a poor beggar who lays at the gates of the rich man’s mansion. The dogs lick Lazarus’s wounds, and Lazarus hopes for crumbs that fall from the rich man’s table. The rich man is oblivious. After both Lazarus and the rich man die, Lazarus is received into the bosom of Abraham, and the rich man finds himself in hell. The rich man is told, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented” (Luke 16:25, all references KJV). In this parable, one of the rich man’s failures was indifference to the needs of the poor around him.

We read about two other men whose stories show us the importance of caring for those around us. The contrast is informative. Both men are disciples who keep the commandments. Both men are successful in the world’s pursuits and have accumulated wealth. Both want Jesus’s approval. The first, a “certain ruler” comes to Jesus wanting to know what is needed for him to inherit eternal life. He confirms that he has always kept the commandments. Jesus told him that he lacked one thing, instructing him to sell all that he has and distribute it to the poor. The ruler “was very sorrowful, for he was very rich” (Luke 18:23). He was unwilling to care for his neighbor.

The second man was “chief among the publicans, and he was rich.” He was a believer and wasn’t tall enough to see over the crowd, so he climbed a Sycamore tree in order to see Jesus walk by. When Jesus “came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold.” And Jesus said unto him, “This day is salvation come to this house” (Luke 19:2-10). In contrast to the first disciple, Zacchaeus has shown by his actions that he cares for his neighbors.

Jesus shows us with clear, concrete examples how to become who he wants us to be. The commandment to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mark 12:31) is second only to the commandment to love God with all of your heart. Jesus is showing us how it looks to “love our neighbor.” He is giving us baby steps to becoming more like Him.

I know how this looks--I see it around me. It looks like my friend the doctor who helps patients, even at inconvenient times. It looks like my husband who developed a reputation that he would help people struggling to read and write complete various types of paperwork. It looks like two ladies I know who “minister” to members in our church with so much love and care that people request to be on their assignment. It looks like my neighbor who brought us healthy meals when we were sick for a long period of time. It looks like my friend who called before Christmas to find out where to buy gifts for a young man so she could help a boy who had suffered personal tragedy have a bright holiday. It looks like a mother and father who work hard to provide love, home, and necessities for their children.

Here’s the real question: where is “Lazarus” in your life? Who is near you that is lonely, overwhelmed, disabled, or unfortunate? They may not be “laying by your gate,” but I promise they are in your circle of influence, needing what you have to offer. I, for one, am going to look more carefully. If learning to love and help my neighbor is key to following in the footsteps of the Master, I’m all in. I hope you are too. Happy New Year.

Beth Wright loves the Mat Su Valley, the snow, the sunrise, and the wonderful people here. She believes in Jesus Christ and loves being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.