November 12th, 2025 Devotional

💧 Living Water Vineyard

Wednesday Devotional — Who Is My Neighbor?

📖 Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25–37

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💬 The Question That Changes Everything

When a religious lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” he wasn’t seeking compassion — he was seeking clarification. He wanted to know the limits of his love — “How far do I have to go?”

Jesus answered not with a definition, but with a story. A man was beaten and left for dead. A priest passed by. Then a Levite. But finally, a Samaritan — a man despised by Jews — stopped, cared for him, and paid for his healing.

At the end, Jesus turned the question upside down:

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The lawyer replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36–37)

“Go and do likewise.”

Four words that still echo through centuries — the call to be love in action.

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❤️ Fred Rogers: Ministry Through the Screen

Fred Rogers — known to the world as Mr. Rogers — lived those words every day. Before he ever put on his red cardigan, he was a seminary student studying for ministry. He earned a degree in music composition and later became an ordained Presbyterian minister. But his pulpit wasn’t a church — it was a neighborhood filled with puppets, children, and love.

Rogers saw television not as entertainment, but as a mission field. In an interview, he once said,

“I went into television because I hated it so. I thought there must be some way of using this fabulous instrument to nurture those who would watch and listen.”

He understood that children needed to know they were seen, valued, and loved by God — not for what they did, but for who they were.

Every quiet moment on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was intentional. Every word was crafted to reflect the gentleness and compassion of Christ.

He prayed daily before filming, asking, “Lord, let some word that is heard today be Yours.”

Though he rarely mentioned Jesus on-screen, his entire message was anchored in the gospel: unconditional love, empathy, and the belief that every person is made in God’s image.

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👦 A Story of a Child and a Neighbor’s Love

One of the most touching true stories came from a young boy named Jeff Erlanger. Jeff was ten years old, confined to a wheelchair after a tumor had damaged his nerves as a baby. Fred Rogers had heard about Jeff and invited him onto his show.

When Jeff arrived, he was nervous — his wheelchair was bulky, and he felt self-conscious. But Rogers got down on the floor, eye-level with him, smiled, and said, “I’m so glad you’re here, Jeff.”

Together they sang “It’s You I Like.”

Jeff laughed and joined in, singing with his whole heart. And when the song finished, Jeff said,

“Thank you for letting me come, Mr. Rogers.”

Rogers replied,

“Thank you, Jeff. You’ve made today a special day by just being you.”

Years later, when Fred Rogers was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, Jeff — now a young man — surprised him on stage. As soon as Rogers saw him, he ran across the stage with tears in his eyes and embraced him.

That’s the power of neighbor love. It doesn’t care about fame, distance, or ability. It simply sees the person and loves them as God does.

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🌎 Who Is Your Neighbor?

Jesus’ parable and Mr. Rogers’ life both remind us that “neighbor” isn’t defined by proximity — it’s defined by compassion.

Your neighbor might be across the street or across the world, in a wheelchair or in pain, in your workplace or online.

To love your neighbor is to notice — to stop, to see, and to respond with mercy.

In our media-saturated world, it’s easy to grow numb to need — but love still begins with seeing, just as the Samaritan and Mr. Rogers did.

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🔍 Reflection Questions

1. Who around me have I overlooked because they don’t “fit” my idea of a neighbor?

2. What would it look like to “get on my knees” — to meet someone where they are, as Fred Rogers did?

3. How can I show mercy in action this week?

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🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus, teach me to see my neighbor as You do.

Break my heart for the ones I’ve ignored.

Give me eyes to see the hurting, courage to stop, and love to act.

May my words and actions reflect Your kindness —

and may my neighborhood, like Mr. Rogers’, become a place where love lives. Amen.

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🎵 Worship Suggestion

Song: “Give Me Your Eyes” (Brandon Heath)

or “God of Justice” (Tim Hughes)

“Open my eyes to the things unseen, show me how to love like You have loved me…”