MONDAY, AUGUST 29
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
Luke 10:29–33
Am I willing to change my schedule for outsiders?
Jesus tells this story to highlight the heart of a neighbor. Jesus depicts 1 man beaten half-dead and 3 men who cross paths with him. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was about 17 miles and descended about 3,000ft, it was a dangerous road to travel as robbers would hide themselves among the winding roads. Verse 31 tells us that a priest, one who is expected to love and care for others, moves to the other side of the road and passes by his fellow Jew. Then in verse 32 a Levite (decedents of Levi, who would help the priests in the temple) did the same as the priest. Then the most unlikely of charachters, a Samaritan, came to where he was and had compassion on Him. The heart of a neighbor is to see and help a neighbor.
In college, I had a boss who would say, “A need seen is an assignment given”. This is true of neighborly love, a need of a neighbor seen is an assignment to go care for that neighbor. This approach of care and compassion is not natural. While we give them grief, how frequently are we the priest and levite passing to the other side.
Today, embrace the heart of a neighbor and when you see the need, your assignment has been given!
Reflection
What keeps you from “crossing the road” and helping a neighbor in need?
Prayer
Our Father,
Thank you for your Word. We pray that by your Spirit Luke 10:29-33 would change us into the likeness of Christ. We pray that we would embody the heart of a neighbor, that we would not ignore injustice and pain but instead we would have compassion. O Lord, give us compassion for our neighbors, don’t let us turn a blind eye to those who need help. I pray we would respond rightly when these opportunities are before us. We need you! We pray these in the your name by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
