PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 10:29-37
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Go and do likewise.” (Luke 20:37)
Jesus once again uses hyperbole to make his point.
There’s a huge contrast between a Priest and a Samaritan.
One is considered holy, the other unholy.
Jesus is challenging this ‘experts’ understanding of holiness.
God is love, all that God says and does comes from love.
God’s will for humans is love; every command is based on love.
God’s redemption is from love, why we are saved and accepted.
Knowing the right answers is not what makes us experts.
The real expert in the law is the expert in showing love.
I fear that we as Christians are experts like this man.
We know the answers, but we do not actually love like this.
Jesus is calling me love those I don’t like or agree with.
Not just to say it, but to actually DO IT!
Who is someone I’d prefer to avoid that I need to love like this?
PRAYER
Lord, I am hearing the phrase ‘just do it’. Help me to be an expert in showing love.
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” There are people that I’ve come across that this would be hard for me to do – my won judging nature may stand in the way – thinking they don’t deserve my respect or Jesus’ love – but of a truth I know that even more so they need Jesus’ love – even more so I need to respect and be patient with them – God only knows what is happening in that person’s life – they may be at a turning point. So many have after being at a super low point in their life! Help me Lord Jesus to ‘do likewise!”
A young person in our community has decided that they want to, need to change genders. Many now reject him, decide he needs To be ostracized. I believe Jesus still loves him, I need to love him, but also kindly tell that person I don’t agree with their new path. It has to be a terrible struggle, and the reject that person as his family just can’t be what Christ wants.
One would have expected the priest or the Levite do put their ‘religious’ task into practice. Knowing is not doing. The outcast, the Samaritan, by doing showed his love for his fellowman. These three woords belong together – knowing = loving = doing. They will know we are Christian by our love.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one int he Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride.
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come;
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one.