Then they came for me

Jason Nelson

Martin Niemöller was a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany. He eventually found the courage to publicly oppose Adolph Hitler. As a result, he spent seven years in a concentration camp. He left us with this haunting poem about social responsibility.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_...).

So, who is my neighbor?

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him” (Luke 10:30-34).

So, who is my neighbor?

Devotion used by permission of Time of Grace®. For more information, visit timeofgrace.org