TensionsSample

Day 2: The Good Samaritan

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love. Give me the strength to love others the way you have loved me. Amen. 

Reading: Luke 10:25–37

The parable of the good Samaritan only came about because someone asked Jesus a question—maybe the most important question a person could ask. A lawyer approached Jesus and asked him: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

If you’re a Christian, you know that Jesus could have answered this question with a fairly straightforward response. But Jesus, as he did at times, was less concerned about giving the correct answer than uncovering what was really in someone’s heart. So instead of answering the question directly, Jesus entered into a conversation. It was a conversation that would point the lawyer to what it really means to be a person of true faith: someone who loves God and loves their neighbor.

At the end of the conversation, it’s clear the Samaritan was the one who truly lived out what loving our neighbors should look like. But to make sure the lawyer understood, Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” With probably a little bit of hesitation and embarrassment, the man replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

What Jesus said at the end of the conversation is perhaps the most powerful and challenging part, and it’s what we can all strive for today. Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

So what should we take away from this passage? Who is our neighbor? What does it look like to love them? This parable teaches that we should help people in need when they encounter them, even though they may not have anything in common with us but their humanity. It doesn’t matter who you think your neighbor is, if you come across someone in need, then they immediately become your neighbor. So what does love require of you? Love requires doing something. Love is not a sentimental feeling. Love is a sacrificial action. It means interrupting your schedule, expending your money, and/or risking your reputation so that you can do what is best for them.

Do you remember the days of the WWJD bracelets—What Would Jesus Do? There are also some bracelets that answer the question, and they have the letters HWLF—He Would Love First.

Let’s love like Jesus. Let’s be the Samaritan. Let’s take a step today, this week, or in our next encounter.

Reflection:

Jesus tells us to love God and to love our neighbors. How are you doing with these two commands? What does loving God look like for you? What does loving your neighbor look like? Spend some time brainstorming how you can put faith into action this week.