Thursday, February 4, 2016

February 5, 2016

He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live. ”But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “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. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’  “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10:27-37

Everyone loves a good story and no one told stories better than Jesus. They have come to be called parables because they illustrate spiritual truth but they are engaging stories that have stood the test of 20 centuries.

One of the favorite and best known “Jesus story” is the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It is very challenging but very hopeful at the same time. In this story Jesus sets a nearly impossible standard for loving, illustrates what it looks like and details how it is possible.

Having said all that there is one more thing that needs to be said, this is a story and it never actually happened. But Jesus made it clear that it should happen. Twice he told the law expert who was listening to the story, “Do this!”
                                                                                           
Similarly, you cannot read this story of hear this story without hearing the voice of Jesus say, “Do this!”

“Do this and you will live,” Jesus says!

“Go and do likewise (love others)“ Jesus says!

So the purpose of this classic story is not to be entertained by it but to engage in it. You are to write yourself into the story. You are to see neighbors in need and be moved with compassion. You are to serve your neighbors in need by sacrificing to meet their need and then stay involved.

Do this and you will live. Do this and others will live! Do this and you will love people to life.

SO WHAT?

So, write yourself into the story!

Cast yourself in the starring role!

Throw yourself entirely into the script.

Surrender your heart completely to God and let Him control your affections.

Consecrate your soul entirely to God and let Him occupy the core of your life.

Invest all your physical strength and personal assets in loving God.

Tune your mind to His voice and reject any opposing voice or contrary opinion.

Be “all in” for loving, knowing and serving God!

Let Him write a love story into your life and you will live! Others will live, too, because you will love them to life!