Who is my neighbor and what is my responsibility to him? Jesus, being the masterful storyteller he was, likely set his listeners on edge in answering that question with his telling of what we know as the story of the Good Samaritan. As this message stresses, Christ-followers today need to examine their motives in acts of compassion. Anyone can give of their excess, but a commitment to really share the burden with those in need--the kind of authentic compassion Jesus is talking about--means giving and serving out of deeply grateful hearts for what God has done for us. For Willow attenders, this message kicks off Celebration of Hope 2009.