Love Your Neighbor
“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the law?” Jesus replied, “How do you read it?” He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all you mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself” - Luke 10:25-27
“Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”
Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”
Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill – I’ll pay you on my way back.’
“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”
“The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”- (Luke 10:29-37 The Message Bible)
I guess that just about covers it.
Prayer: OK Lord, I confess. I am not always a good neighbor. There are times I have not responded with kindness to those in need. Forgive me for my selfishness and give me the grace to love my neighbor. In Jesus name, amen.
Message: Who is our neighbor? Jesus defined our neighbor, according to the story of the good Samaritan, anyone who has a need with which we are able to help; even if that person is my sworn enemy. Notice: Jews and Samaritans considered themselves enemies and had nothing to do with each other. Jesus called them neighbors.
Affirmation: Jesus pointed out that my neighbor is anyone I come across who has a need that I can answer, and I am to offer my assistance to them.
Reflection: On how many levels should we see our enemy as our neighbor? The grumpy person next door? That person at work who is trying to get our job? What about those in politics we disagree with? And here is the big one: What about the country that considers us their enemy? Give this some careful thought.
Get the full month of devotions about Love : JUST CLICK HERE
“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the law?” Jesus replied, “How do you read it?” He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all you mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself” - Luke 10:25-27
“Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”
Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”
Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill – I’ll pay you on my way back.’
“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”
“The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”- (Luke 10:29-37 The Message Bible)
I guess that just about covers it.
Prayer: OK Lord, I confess. I am not always a good neighbor. There are times I have not responded with kindness to those in need. Forgive me for my selfishness and give me the grace to love my neighbor. In Jesus name, amen.
Message: Who is our neighbor? Jesus defined our neighbor, according to the story of the good Samaritan, anyone who has a need with which we are able to help; even if that person is my sworn enemy. Notice: Jews and Samaritans considered themselves enemies and had nothing to do with each other. Jesus called them neighbors.
Affirmation: Jesus pointed out that my neighbor is anyone I come across who has a need that I can answer, and I am to offer my assistance to them.
Reflection: On how many levels should we see our enemy as our neighbor? The grumpy person next door? That person at work who is trying to get our job? What about those in politics we disagree with? And here is the big one: What about the country that considers us their enemy? Give this some careful thought.
Get the full month of devotions about Love : JUST CLICK HERE
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