Modern Christian culture has largely lost the urgency of this command of Jesus. We have based our salvation on saying a sinner's prayer, so much of what was required by Jesus has been seen as optional, or simply not that big of a deal.

Jesus was asked by a lawyer what the greatest command was. (Matthew 22:35-40) Of course, Jesus said it was to love God with all we are. No one asked Him what the second greatest command was. Yet Jesus clearly felt compelled to give it anyway. "And the second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

In Luke's version of this story (or perhaps another similar incident), the lawyer asked who was his neighbor.  Jesus gave the story of the Good Samaritan. And what is the lesson of this story? Jesus is saying if you are going to love your neighbor, you must interrupt your schedule to help those in need. He didn't say you have to scrap all your plans. Just simply be on the lookout for opportunities to help others in need.

The poor are very dear to God's heart. There were many Old Testament laws regarding the poor. Boaz honored these laws, and left the edges of his field uncut, so the poor could glean from them. In the New Testament, we see most of Jesus' ministry to the poor and sick. Jesus abounded with compassion. And when He visited a tax collector, Zacchaeus promised much of his wealth to the poor - clearly revealing how Jesus challenged him. The apostles challenged Paul to remember the poor while proclaiming the gospel. (Galatians 2:10) James - the brother of Jesus - tells us that pure religion is serving the orphans and the widows. The early church sacrificed their possessions for the poor.

The idea here is compassion. So loving your neighbor isn't just having best wishes for the family next door. Nor is it just having good will or "loving everybody." It is literally interrupting your schedule to help out, or giving of your resources to those in need. It can be as simple as noticing who needs help while picking up a few things at the store, or sponsoring a child overseas. When you slow down in traffic, and let someone in front of you, you are practicing compassion.

There's an early church document, called the Didache (Teachings). It is the earliest church document not included in the Bible. It was written around the same time as the New Testament as a handbook for Christians. It says that prayer is a wonderful activity for God. It says that fasting is better. And giving to the poor was best - it is the highest honor to give God.

May we bring back compassion in our churches. May it become the hallmark of our lives. The lowest form of loving your neighbor is to cause no harm (10 Commandments). The highest form of this royal law (James 1:27 and 2:8) is to care for the poor. May we remember the unsolicited command of Jesus was telling us the best way to obey the greatest command.