Luke 10:29 Priorities

But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Observation
This specific parable is answering the question "who is my neighbor?". But there is another underlying question that is also being asked, that perhaps the lawyer doesn't even know he is asking, but Jesus does. What is the question? Where does my neighbor rank on my priority list? Jesus is intentional to use the priest and the levite as examples of ones who see a beat up Jew, but do nothing. He is specific because even though both the priest and levite know to love their neighbor, their priority list is skewed. Loving their neighbor falls below, following religious rules. Loving their neighbor falls below comfort and cleanliness.
Yet the Samaritan, the Jews enemy, not only helps the poor Jewish victim out, but goes above and beyond to make sure that he is nursed back to complete health. Therefore the Samaritan was truly loving his neighbor like he loves himself.

Application
The application of this scripture is easy to see but not as easy to apply. Where does loving my neighbor rank on my priority list? Do I love them enough to get uncomfortable? To get messy? Well some days, yes, but others, no. Do I love them enough to do more than get my hands dirty, but wade into the junk and help see them through the trial? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. It's not the answer I would hope to hear resounding from my heart. But there it is.
Only God can get me there, but I have to go to Him willing to change. That change will come through fire, testing and pressing me into one who has their priorities aligned with Christ.

Prayer
Father, please forgive me for not loving my neighbor like I should and like You've commanded. I know it is for my own heart that You command it of me, and Christ I do want to look more like You. Please help me to love others the way that You do.