Love Your Neighbor

SCRIPTURE

Luke 10:30-37

 

Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.

The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."

Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are times when ______ is in need of a true neighbor. There are seasons when his spirit feels beaten, stripped, and abandoned. He finds himself wounded, confused, and unable to help himself. He is simply in need. Thank you so much Lord, for those Samaritans who have looked closely enough to see the desperateness. Lord, thank you that there are some who have listened long enough to understand the wounds and feel a depth of compassion for  ______. And thank you that their compassion was active enough to sooth and bandage the wounds, even at the sacrifice of time and energy. Lord, thank you that ______ was not required to meet a certain religious qualification for help, but that help just flowed from the love of a neighbor. We are grateful to you Lord for these honorable saints who are fulfilling the great commandment to love their neighbor. May they feel your pleasure for the wounds they have bandaged. And may ______ pass that same active compassion to others who hurt… even to those who may have passed him by in his need. Even those Lord. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

It only takes one Samaritan to effect a great healing in your soul. Receive that gift, and go and do the same. Learn from those who passed you by, and love them like they should have loved you.