In today's devotional, we see a teacher ask Jesus this question in trying to justify himself; who is my neighbour? Since Jesus had answered that love for God and neighbour was the most important commandment, who is my neighbour? It is strange he didn't mention anything about love for God, probably because he felt there was no way to measure or show it to others or that it is easy to tell when we look at your activities in the temple; your burnt offerings. He was essentially saying that anyone could claim they love God, love for neighbour on the other hand, is more practical. So who is my neighbour; my immediate family members, the person living next door, my friends?
Jesus answers with a story of a Jew travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by bandits. Laying there, a fellow Jews like him; a priest and then Levite came along but both refused to help. It was not until a Samaritan who normally do not have anything to do with Jews, showed up that the man got some help.
By this story, Jesus was telling his audience that love breaks or crosses barriers; culture, ethnic, racial, gender, etc.
Your neighbours are not just those like you or people from your own tribe or family. Your neighbour is everyone and anyone who needs you.
