YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
Mar 12:31 “And the second, like it, is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
This command is from the Torah (Wayy/Lev. 19:18):
V'ah-hav-ta l'ray-ah-cha ka-moh-cha.
And you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
The Second Great Command is like the First because the two cannot be separated. They are equally important—just like how the two tablets of stone together make up the Covenant. You cannot do one and not the other: You cannot truly love Elohim without loving your neighbor, and you cannot sincerely love your neighbor without loving Elohim.
YAHUSHUAH asked Kepha three times if he loved Him, and Kepha responded each time, “Yea, Master, you know I love You.” After each response, YAHUSHUAH gave him some instruction that regarded loving your neighbor as yourself: Feed My lambs, Shepherd My sheep, Feed My sheep (Yoh. 21). Loving YAHUAH is loving your neighbor.
To love our neighbor as our self, we must learn to see others the way YAHUAH sees them. YAHUAH looks at a person’s spirit. He sees the pure being that He created and housed in a fleshly body. He knows that each person is good. He knows that each person is a part of Himself, His child, and He loves and cares for each one deeply. Even if a person is steeped in sin—He knows His being is pure and that he is a part of Himself. YAHUAH still loves him.
That’s how we must see others. We have to learn to look past a person’s outside covering and see the pure spirit within him. Even someone with the ‘roughest’ exterior still has goodness at his core. Ever since a person’s birth, he’s been plagued and attacked by the enemy. The adversary led him to sin. The adversary sent uncleanness to attach to his being. The adversary placed troubles in his life to cause a hardened or unpleasant personality. From day one, the adversary caused that person’s flesh to increase more and more. His flesh grew while his spirit remained malnourished and undeveloped.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you desire to do.
Gal 5:19-21 And the works of the flesh are well-known, which are these: adultery, whoring, uncleanness, indecency, (20) idolatry, drug sorcery, hatred, quarrels, jealousies, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, (21) envy, murders, drunkenness, wild parties, and the like – of which I forewarn you, even as I also said before, that those who practise such as these shall not inherit the reign of Elohim.
We must remember that YAHUAH is the Judge. We do not judge others. We cannot look at a person’s exterior—looks, possessions, status, bad habits, or personality—and judge their worthiness. Their being is being held captive and once YAHUAH sets them free—who knows just how set-apart and righteous he may become!
That's why we must learn to nurture a person’s spirit. We must draw others to YAHUSHUAH for cleansing and purification and spiritual growth. Only true, sincere love draws another to the Father. Our love—the love of YAHUSHUAH working through us—is the Light that draws all men to Messiah YAHUSHUAH. When we extend ourselves to show love, they are drawn a little bit closer to YAHUAH. Each act of love is a step closer. Someone may be one step away from freedom, and our light of love may be just what he needs to draw him that last step. Who are we to deny him that? YAHUAH is the Judge.
Mat 5:14-16
(14) “You are the light of the world. It is impossible for a city to be hidden on a mountain.
(15) “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house.
(16) “Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your Father who is in the heavens.
What we focus on in our own lives largely determines how we act toward others. If we’re mostly concerned about money, material possessions, food, work, entertainment, etc., then that’s an indication that we’re emphasizing our flesh more than our spirit. We will then be more inclined to look at others according to the flesh. We will always see faults because our focus is just on the outside—things of the flesh. (Funny how we always see more faults in others than ourselves. Matt. 7) On the other hand, if our focus is primarily on spiritual matters, matters from above, and we spend time studying the Word, praying, and seeking Elohim, then our spirit is emphasized more than our flesh. We strengthen our spirit and deny the flesh. When we see our own spirit as being most important, then we will be much more likely to regard another according to the spirit and not according to the flesh.
Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the matters of the Spirit.
2Co 5:16 So from now onwards we know no one according to the flesh. And if we have known Messiah according to the flesh, yet now we no longer know Him thus.
When we love our neighbor as our self, then we have completed Torah. All of Torah is about the Spirit prevailing over the natural and physical. So when we reach the point where we can see one another according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh, then we have completed Torah. We have come to truly walk in Messiah's footsteps.
Rom 13:10 Love does no evil to a neighbour. Therefore, love is completion of the Torah.
Gal 5:14 For the entire Torah is completed in one word, in this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
How do we love? We love by being concerned for others. Be aware of the needs and situations of those around us. Be mindful of their needs and concerns. Be conscious of their fears and worries. Be thoughtful of their wants and desires. Whatever we want, we also want for others. Whatever we don’t want, we don’t want for others. Whatever we’d do for ourselves, we’re willing to do for another. The same attention and concern we have for our self and our own family, we have for someone else and his/her family. Essentially, we take our neighbor’s priority list and add it to our own—so that they are indistinguishable.
When we love our neighbor, we help them fill both physical needs and spiritual needs.
Ya'aq/Jas 2:15-16 And if a brother or sister is naked and in need of daily food, (16) but one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” but you do not give them the bodily needs, what use is it?
Whatever I want for myself, I want for another. If I desire my physical needs to be met, then I should do whatever I can to help another meet his physical needs--food, clothes, housing, finances, etc. If I seek to have my spiritual needs met, then I should seek to meet the spiritual needs of others--teachings, Scriptures, a word of encouragement, support, kindness, prayer of peace, etc.
We extend ourselves (sometimes going the extra mile as we would like others to do for us) and help in whatever way we can so that another’s well-being is improved. And we help in a way that is completely independent of our self—we don’t try to better our own image and we have no ulterior motives, expecting nothing in return. We love and give simply because it pleases Elohim and because that person’s life is improved. How great it is to bring joy and peace to another person!
Always look for opportunities to help someone else. Look at the people around you, wherever you are, and think of their situation. Consider their physical needs and their spiritual needs, needs which they may not even know they have. Then, ask yourself: "If I were in that same situation, what would I want someone to do for me?" Then do it.
YAHUSHUAH's instructions on how to love our neighbor: (Luk 6:27-38)
(27) “But I say to you who are hearing: Love your enemies, do good to those hating you.
(28) “Bless those cursing you, and pray for those insulting you.
(29) “And to him who hits you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold the inner garment either.
(30) “And give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away what is yours do not ask it back.
(31) “And as you wish men should do to you, you also do to them in the same way.
(32) “And if you love those loving you, what favour have you? For sinners, too, love those loving them.
(33) “And if you do good to those doing good to you, what favour have you? For even sinners do the same.
(34) “And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive back, what favour have you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
(35) “Rather, love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting none in return. And your reward shall be great, and you shall be sons of the Most High. Because He is kind to the thankless and wicked ones.
(36) “Therefore be compassionate, as your Father also is compassionate.
(37) “And do not judge, and you shall not be judged at all. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned at all. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.
(38) “Give, and it shall be given to you. A good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over shall be put into your lap. For with the same measure with which you measure, it shall be measured back to you.”
Truly, when we step out of our own little world, the ‘bubble’ of our life, and focus on someone else, YAHUAH focuses on us. When we work on meeting the needs of others, YAHUAH meets our needs. YAHUAH is trustworthy. He always blesses obedience.
Gal 6:7-10
(7) Do not be led astray: Elohim is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap.
(8) Because he who sows to his own flesh shall reap corruption from the flesh, but he who sows to the Spirit shall reap everlasting life from the Spirit.
(9) And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not grow weary.
(10) So then, as we have occasion, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of the belief.
Who is our neighbor? YAHUSHUAH answered that direct question with the parable of the man who was beaten and robbed and left by the road:
Luk 10:29-37
(29) But he, wishing to declare himself righteous, said to YAHUSHUAH, “And who is my neighbour?”
(30) And replying, YAHUSHUAH said, “A certain man was going down from Yerushalayim to Yeriho, and fell among robbers, who, both stripping and beating him, went away, leaving him half dead.
(31) “And by a coincidence a certain priest was going down that way. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
(32) “And likewise a Lewite also, when he came to the place, and seeing, passed by on the other side.
(33) “But a certain Shomeronite, journeying, came upon him. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
(34) and he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. And having placed him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn, and looked after him.
(35) “And going out on the next day, he took out two pieces of silver, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Look after him, and whatever more you spend I shall repay you when I return.’
(36) “Who, then, of these three, do you think, was neighbour to him who fell among the robbers?”
(37) And he said, “He who showed compassion on him.” Then YAHUSHUAH said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Gal. 6:10 So then, as we have occasion, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of the belief.
Our neighbor is not only our fellow Yahudim, but anyone who is in need. YAHUAH is the Father of all. He created everyone on this earth and breathed life into all. All men are created in His image and His likeness. If we truly love YAHUAH with all our heart, all our being, and all our might, then we will see His likeness in every person we meet and be able to express unconditional love for everyone because we love the Father.
All in all YAHUSHUAH is our example. He showed us pure, unconditional love for a neighbor. He looked on the needs of others and provided—food, healing, comfort, forgiveness, and more. Their concerns were His concerns; their worries His worries. Their well-being—spiritual and physical—was His priority.
Mar 6:34-44
(34) And having gone out, YAHUSHUAH saw a large crowd and was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. And He began to teach them many matters.
(35) And as the hour grew late, His taught ones came to Him and said, “This is a lonely place, and now the hour is late.
(36) “Send them away, so that they go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, since they have no food to eat.”
(37) But He answering, said to them, “You give them to eat.” And they said to Him, “Should we go and buy two hundred silver pieces worth of bread and give them to eat?”
(38) Then He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fishes.”
(39) And He ordered them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.
(40) And they sat down in groups, in hundreds and in fifties.
(41) And taking the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to the heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His taught ones to set before them. And the two fishes He divided among them all.
(42) And all ate and were satisfied.
(43) And they picked up twelve baskets, filled with pieces, also from the fishes.
(44) Now those who ate the loaves were about five thousand men.
Mat 8:1-4
(1) And when He came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
(2) And see, a leper came, and bowed before Him, saying, “Master, if You desire, You are able to make me clean.”
(3) And stretching out His hand YAHUSHUAH touched him, saying, “I desire it. Be cleansed!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
(4) And YAHUSHUAH said to him, “See, mention it to no one. But go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Mosheh commanded, as a witness to them.”
Mat 8:5-13
(5) And when YAHUSHUAH had entered Kephar Nahum, a captain came to Him, appealing to Him,
(6) saying, “Master, my servant is lying in the house paralysed, grievously tortured.”
(7) And YAHUSHUAH said to him, “I shall come and heal him.”
(8) And the captain answering, said, “Master, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only say a word, and my servant shall be healed.
(9) “For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
(10) And when YAHUSHUAH heard, He marvelled, and said to those who followed, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Yisra’el have I found such great belief!
(11) “And I say to you that many shall come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, and Yitshaq, and Ya'aqob in the reign of the heavens,
(12) but the sons of the reign shall be cast out into outer darkness – there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
(13) And YAHUSHUAH said to the captain, “Go, and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that hour.
Mat 8:14-15
(14) And when YAHUSHUAH had come into the house of Kepha, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with inflammation.
(15) And He touched her hand, and the inflammation left her. And she arose and served them.
Mar 8:1-9
(1) In those days, the crowd being very great and not having any to eat, YAHUSHUAH called His taught ones near and said to them,
(2) “I have compassion on the crowd, for they have now been with Me three days and do not have food to eat.
(3) “And if I dismiss them unfed to their home, they shall faint on the way, for some of them have come from far.”
(4) And His taught ones answered Him, “How shall anyone be able to feed these people with bread here in the desert?”
(5) And He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.”
(6) And He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, He broke them and gave them to His taught ones to set before them. And they set them before the crowd.
(7) And they had a few small fishes. And having blessed, He said to set them also before them.
(8) And they ate and were satisfied, and they picked up seven large baskets of broken pieces.
(9) And those eating were about four thousand, and He dismissed them.
Mat 15:22-28
(22) And see, a woman of Kena'an came from those borders and cried out to Him, saying, “Have compassion on me, O Master, Son of Dawid! My daughter is badly demon-possessed.”
(23) But He did not answer her a word. And His taught ones came and asked Him, saying, “Send her away, because she cries after us.”
(24) And He answering, said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Yisra’el.”
(25) But she came and was bowing to Him, saying, “Master, help me!”
(26) And He answering, said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
(27) But she said, “Yea Master, for even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
(28) And YAHUSHUAH answering, said to her, “O woman, your belief is great! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
Mar 10:46-52
(46) And they came to Yeriho. And as He was leaving Yeriho with His taught ones and a large crowd, blind Bartimai, the son of Timai, was sitting by the way begging.
(47) And when he heard that it was YAHUSHUAH of Natsareth, he began to cry out and to say, “YAHUSHUAH, Son of Dawid, have compassion on me!”
(48) And many were reprimanding him to be silent, but he cried out all the more, “Son of Dawid, have compassion on me!”
(49) And YAHUSHUAH stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, arise, He is calling you.”
(50) And he, throwing aside his garment, rose and came to YAHUSHUAH.
(51) And YAHUSHUAH responding, said to him, “What do you desire I do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I receive my sight.”
(52) And YAHUSHUAH said to him, “Go, your belief has healed you.” And immediately he saw again and followed YAHUSHUAH on the way.
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