July 21

Luke 10:25-37 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" 27And he answered, "You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself." 28And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."
29But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus 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. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."

Observation

As I read this passage, my mind immediately thought this is such a well known passage where I have read over and over again, and even non-believers know of the ‘good Samaritan.’ But in a related commentary that I came across it stated, “The parable is a beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbor as ourselves, without regard to nation, party, or any other distinction.” How wise was our Lord Jesus in explaining the command to love our neighbors as our self that through this parable even non-believers are reminded of how we are to live our lives with love, dignity and a sense of decency.

Application

The Great Commission commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. I’m reminded that in order to do so we need to take advantage of every opportunity to establish a relationship with those that do not know Christ. Particularly, related to this parable, we are called to show compassion and love to those that are in need which could possibly lead to fulfilling the Great Commission.

Prayer

Gracious God, help me to live out your command to truly love all my neighbors and to those that are in need that I may display the love and compassion that you first showed me. And in doing so, I pray for those that I encounter who do not yet know you, that my actions will lead them to knowing you more and receive you as Lord and Savior. In Christ Name, Amen.

--Henry Yoo