Begin Again预览

The Samaritan Savior Here’s a lifesaving fact: A drowning person is their own worst enemy. While they still have enough energy to thrash around in the water, don’t even approach them. They are in a state of panic and they will grab onto you and cause both of you to drown. Just wait till they have exhausted all their energy. Only then are they ready to let you save them. Same is true for anyone who direly needs the Savior in their lives. Read Luke 10:25-37 again. The question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Was Jesus saying just be a “good neighbor” and you will be saved? Be a Mother Theresa? No, we cannot be justified by obeying the Law (Read Romans 3:20). The thrust of Jesus’ teaching was to persistently push His hearers toward the inevitable conclusion that their only hope of salvation was a Savior. “Be perfect, therefore, even as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live even though he dies.” (John 11:25) “I am the way & the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) In Luke 10: 27 say love God & love people. What does really loving your neighbor look like? Incredibly selfless, sacrificial and contrary to culture and common sense. “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37) almost means keep doing this without a single break. The kind of love for neighbor that God requires – if we are to be justified by the Law. Who is it that shows mercy? “Religious people” like Priest or Levite? Your religion will not save you! The most unlikely person, a Samaritan, turns out to be the Savior. Have you felt desperate in the ditch before? Have you cried similar words to the Samaritan Savior because you know, He is your last hope? “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Blind Bartemaeus (Mark 10:47) “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1-2) Or do you know anybody who still refuses to accept Christ because He is the unlikely answer to their worldly and temporary needs? A relative or friend that you have been reaching out too for so long. Why don’t you take time to pray for him or her right now. Like a person going through a dark, damp valley with a match in her hand. Try as he may, everything is too wet to ignite. But then when you pray, the wind of the Spirit begins to blow and dry up the dampness. And suddenly there is a change! The fire begins to burn in the hearts of local men and women – and they pass it on to others – till the whole valley is aflame with God! That’s the importance of prayer.