In January 2015, a terrorist stormed Hyper Cacher (a Kosher supermarket) in Paris and murdered four hostages. One of the store’s clerks, Lassana Bathily, heard the gunfire and hid shoppers in a freezer. Bathily, a Muslim whose courageous actions saved several Jews (including a child), was an immigrant who had been seeking French citizenship. As a thank-you for his bravery, authorities fast-tracked his papers and handed him a French passport during a public ceremony.
Bathily refused the praise. “People tell me I am a hero,” he said. “I am not a hero. I am trying to stay myself.” He believed that his courageous act was simply the right thing to do.
While this story would have been compelling at any time, it was particularly powerful as it happened during the week when terrorists went on a murderous rampage at a French newspaper. At the very time when tensions between people of differing ethnicities and religions were taut, Bathily’s actions provided hope.
Proverbs tells us that “upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper” (Proverbs 11:11). Whenever people humbly treat one another fairly and put others’ needs before their own or whenever neighbors choose to deal honestly and justly with one another, it leads to joy (Proverbs 11:2-3,5,10). Bathily acted bravely, but it appears that his bravery was merely the continuation of the way he chose to live toward his neighbors, even those who were different from him.
With Jesus as our example, we’re called to treat one another with dignity and pursue one another’s well-being, even if (maybe especially if) they’re different from us (Matthew 7:12; Mark 12:31). Let’s honor Him by being people who are good for the neighborhood.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 23:23–24:27
More:
Read Romans 15:2 in the NIV and consider what it means to be a good neighbor.
Next:
Where in your community do you see the need for upright citizens? How can you practically be a good neighbor to those in need?
Gary Shultz on November 13, 2015 at 7:21 am
This was the Samaritan, a good neighbor regardless of any other difference. We need to be in our community in a good and godly way showing others that there is hope, and for us, showing the grace God has shown to us. Our call will fill any community with good if we are following Christ’s example and pushing out self interest. Thanks
Mike Wittmer on November 13, 2015 at 3:10 pm
This reminds me of Jeremiah 29:7–“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”