Luke 10:25-37
The parable of the Good Samaritan is so familiar to us. I think when I was a child or even into early adulthood I heard this parable as a reminder to look for opportunities to do good. It wasn’t until I was much older that I better understood the cultural pressures at play in the story. Jesus is reminding me today of the “brotherhood” of the human race. God wants us to look beyond our differences and act like neighbors and family. It is amazing to me these racial and cultural divisions continue to exist after two-thousand years! I may never have an opportunity such as the presented to the Samaritan, but I have many, many, smaller opportunities on a regular basis.
Father God, you are father of all. You created each and every one of us. We are all your family. I will look for ways to reach out, even if the acts seem small. They are not insignificant; even a smile to a passer-by can change someone’s heart. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
Luke 10:25-37 So how do we take the parable of the Good Samaritan and apply it to our modern lives today? What can I continue learning from this story right now? (Where do I see troubles in this scripture) It’s not easy to get involved in the lives of others Because it costs us something. If I’m not willing to really get involved with people, I cannot love them the way God commands us to. Both the priest and the Levite chose not to get involved. They stayed as far away from the situation as possible. The Samaritan didn’t shy away from getting involved. He walked over, was filled with compassion, and he took care of the man and arra…
Luke 10: 25-37
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?”
Everyone may have a different interpretation of the law. Loving your neighbor as yourself isn’t always easy. How many excuses will one make to not help someone that rubs you the wrong way? But as a true Christian we should have the law of love in our hearts. The Spirit of Christ is in the soul of every Christian. It is often difficult to like everyone. I fall into that weakness. Some people just rub me the wrong…
Luke 10:25-27
The parable of the Good Samaritan is Jesus’ explanation of what a good neighbor is, but that is the second part of what is written in the Law. The first part, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” is what gives a person the desire and frame of mind to be a “good Samaritan”. I’m sure I could help my neighbor even if I didn’t know God, but to act the way the Samaritan did requires the teaching, and accepting, of the Word.
Dear Lord, I help people when I see a need and it’s not going to interfere too much…
Luke 10:25-37. The story of the Good Samaritan The Jews and the Samaritans had a long history of hatred of each other, so it is not surprising that He uses used them in this story. We know he was teaching us to love everyone – those who look, live, think, vote, and worship differently than we do. Lately I’ve been wondering if this episode changed the Jewish man’s thinking about Samaritans. Did he now realize how much more alike we are by the Samaritans actions? Did they become friends? Did he tell others how kindly he was treated by the Samaritan? Did he spread the good news to his friends and family? I do not know the answer, but I’ll bet…
Like 10:29 - “But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”
Looking for the loophole: My first impulse is to say, “Of course. He’s a lawyer. Seeking loopholes is his life’s work.“ But the truth is all of fallen humanity is inclined to take the path of least resistance, making excuses along the way to justify not doing what we know deep down is the right thing. Jesus shocks His listeners by having the good deed done by a despised outsider after the victim had been ignored by “good people.” Are we doing any better today or are we still ready with excuses?
Prayer - God of mercy, help me to recognize that there are…