If I had to preach on ‘Jesus’ politics’, I’d probably go for the story of the Good Samaritan. I’d focus on the campaign slogan ‘Love your neighbour’. It’s not everything a policy might need to include, but it’s a good start. It’s partly because I really do love my literal neighbours. Having moved to Middlesbrough in the North East of England, I have a far more motivated and engaged view of politics and how it affects those perhaps most disillusioned with society. I’ve made friends with my street and it’s changing the way I preach, especially this story from Luke 10.
Certainly, being friends with a variety of people has helped me preach the good news of Jesus, being more aware of our society so in need of good news. This has included those seeking asylum, working with our social care systems, probation, care homes or the foodbank at the end of the road, and those trying to make ends meet through disability benefits, child benefits, running car wash businesses or surviving on grants to get further education. It has peeled away a few blinkers and blind spots I had from going to uni and then living on a lovely city centre street. I’ve got a lot to learn but I am enjoying learning to love my neighbours.
