In today’s scripture, we read about a lawyer who puts Jesus to the test. A lawyer in this scriptural reference would refer to a person who is obviously thought to be some level of expert in Jewish laws and teachings. His question, however, was rather simple: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So rather than answering him, Jesus allows the man to answer it for himself. He offers Jesus an acceptable reply, then seeking further clarification, the lawyer asks, “But who is my neighbor, or rather who is it that I am meant to love as I love myself?”

Rather than Jesus answering specifically, He chooses this teachable moment to tell the story of the Good Samaritan. This, by the way, is one of my favorite stories in scripture. I especially love the parallel here and how Jesus used Jericho Road to tell this story. The historical description of Jericho Road demonstrates its physical challenges, describing the dangers as the road is very steep, rocky, and threatening due to the many twists and turns. Even the popular old-time hymn teaches us that there was room for just two, Jesus and you on Jericho Road. Anyone who sought to travel this road alone would be open to danger and destruction both in the sense that we need Jesus with us, and that the road had many dangers for one seeking to travel alone. We all know that through the hills and valleys of life, we definitely need Jesus to travel along with us.

Jesus shares that three men, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan, each came upon a man who was beaten, robbed, stripped of his clothing and left for dead; however, it was the good Samaritan who stopped to help him. The priest and the Levite both by the nature of their positions should be the likely ones to stop and offer help, and the Samaritan being a natural enemy of the Jews would be the least likely to help. How much stronger this act of kindness was that it was the Samaritan who not only stopped to help this man, but also followed through to see that the man made it to a place of safety and pre-payed for the man’s stay in the inn.

Reflection:

• Sometimes God will lay it on our hearts to pray for someone or to help someone in need. Our answer to pray or to help that person is easy when it is someone we care for; however, God wants us to love everyone as we love ourselves. Sometimes that looks like helping someone who can do nothing to repay our kindness or someone who we might feel is less deserving of our help. Who has God laid on your heart to do something for recently? Pray for God to reveal to you ways that you may help a neighbor in need.
• Identify someone God has placed in your life who might be more challenging in either your work or family group. Begin to pray for that person and watch how God will change your heart through praying specifically for that individual.
• Prayer: Dear God, Your love for us is so precious, and we can always rest in the assurance of Your unconditional love. Please help us to model that love as we pray for others in our lives. Help us to be more like the good Samaritan in helping those who extend beyond our normal family or friend group. Lord, change our hearts as we pray for them in this way. We love You, and we want to live each day striving to be more like You. Amen.

Family Application: The Good Samaritan

• Daily Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-37
• Here’s a challenge: Read the verses again slowly. This time ask Jesus to show you YOURSELF in each part of the story.
• When have you thought you were superior to someone?
• When have you tried to show someone else up? To make yourself look good?
• When have you “crossed the road” to avoid helping someone because it was just too messy to get involved?
• When have you helped someone without telling the world what you did?
• We are in the midst of a homeless crisis in our nation. Because of immigration, our children are seeing new faces in school, and some don’t speak our language.
• Does anyone know a homeless person?
• Does anyone know someone who is really struggling?
• Is there a new child in school who doesn’t fit in?
• This is a time to be thankful for what we have, and yet to be concerned for those who are not as fortunate. It is sometimes overwhelming when we see tent cities springing up and people sleeping in cars and under bridges. We can’t solve the whole problem by ourselves. But as Sally Roberts, a news personality from New Orleans, says, “. . .each one can save one…” We can do what Jesus told the lawyer to do. We can give when we see a need: give our time, our talents, or our finances. God will show you opportunities if you ask Him to.
• Prayer: Dear Jesus, so many people are in need today. We know we can’t save them all, but if You could just show us how we can use what we have to share with those around us, we would be very willing to help as much as we can! Thank You for giving us ways to serve you through serving others. We love You, Jesus! Amen.