"25 On one
occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked,
“what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the
Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”27 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.’”28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do
this and you will live.”29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he
asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 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. 31 A
priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he
passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the
place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as
he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on
him. 34 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. 35 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.’36 “Which of these three
do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of
robbers?”37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37
The Great Commandment is
a tall order!
Loving people to life
requires a supernatural assist!
So not only does Jesus
command you what you should do but He also gives you a picture of what that
should look like in the well-known story of the Good Samaritan!
Look at this Parable and
learn! How did the Samaritan love this man to life?
He Saw, V. 33
All ministry begins with
seeing a need and meeting it!
Someone saw your need
and loved you to live, right?
Are
you attuned to the needs around you?
Is there someone you
could love to life in Christ?
He Stopped, V. 34
The "professional
need meeters", the priest and the levite did not stop. Apparently they had
more important things to do.
They illustrate and
important point! In order to be more effective and available to start
ministering to the needs of others you may have to stop some things that keep
you from stopping!
He Served, V. 34b
This Samaritan gives us
a great picture of what it means to serve. First. he treated the felt need. He
cleansed the wounds with oil and wine. Think about the symbolism of that!
Second, he transported him to a safer place where he wouldn't get hurt again!
Third, he took care of him so he could recover and heal!
It doesn't get any
clearer than that!
He Sacrificed, V. 35
It is expensive to meet
needs! If it wasn't probably more people would be doing it! This Samaritan
demonstrates sacrifice in this story! He shelled out two days wages, he gave up
a big portion of his day and then he left his credit card to make sure future
care would be provided!
Someone sacrificed for
you to make sure your needs were met! Someone paid the bill for your spiritual
healing!
Will you be willing to
sacrifice for others?
He Stayed Involved, V.
35b
This Good Samaritan had
to get on with his business but he stayed involved with this needy man over
time! That is hard! That is rare! But that is what love demands!
Eugene Peterson once
said, "Discipleship is a long obedience in the same direction!"
Meeting needs and loving
people to life is a long-term proposition! That is why it is easier to write a
check than to commit time, talents and for the long run.
Someone stayed invested
and involved in your live!
Will you do it for
someone else?
Wow! What a powerful
picture of what it looks like to love someone to life! I worked for the
Samaritan and it will work for you!
Jesus told this lawyer,
"Go and do likewise."
Will you?