SCRIPTURE
Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 15
Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV)
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
DEVOTION
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
Our Lord and Savior taught that if we simply love God and neighbor, we will inherit eternal life.
Isn't it sad that as human beings we are always trying to find the loophole in this simple commandment?
Like the lawyer who sought to justify himself, we ask the question, "Exactly who is my neighbor?"
Is the person who doesn't share my race or ethnicity really my neighbor? Is the poor man or woman dependent upon the charity of others really my neighbor? Is the non-Christian, Muslim or Jewish person really my neighbor? Is my enemy really my neighbor?
In response to our desire to find the loophole, so we can act in hatred toward others without guilt, Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan.
In that story, we quickly realize it was not the people who should have helped (e.g., religious folks) who ultimately helped him. Instead, it was the good Samaritan who went out of his way to assist the stranger in need.
Jesus told us that those who love God and neighbor will inherit eternal life. Jesus taught us that we must act with love toward our neighbors, always choosing the path of mercy.
Just as Jesus loved us when we were yet his enemies; so too are we called to love those whom it would be easier to hate.
As we walk in love and mercy, we will be so filled with Spirit that our journey will be made easy. As we mediate on the love of God revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Spirit will cause us to do good works and acts of mercy in response to God's Amazing Grace toward us!
It is never easy to show love to those whom we perceive to be different than us, or in enmity toward us. But, this is the call of the Christian.
After all, the only way non-Christians will know that we are Christians, is by our love!
LOVE is what ultimately sets us apart from the rest of the world and it is God's love through us that will ultimately change it!
Go in peace, serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God!)
Let us pray: God, please fill up my heart with you love and Spirit so that I will be compelled to answer the call to love you and neighbor as myself. I desire to follow your commandment and do your will. Please forgive me for failing to love in the past and please empower me to do love in the future. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
*Special Note: Today is my wedding anniversary! I love you honey! You are the best husband and father in the world. It is such a blessing to share my life with you...
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