THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 10:29-37
“As he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.” (Luke 10:33)
For a time I was struggling to find ways to love my neighbour.
Help at a soup kitchen, volunteer at a youth shelter, visit at a nursing home or hospital.
I felt the burden and pressure of adding something ‘loving’ to my life.
But these words, ‘as he journeyed’, changed the way I was thinking.
Everyday as we journey through life, we pass by people along the way.
There might be some in obvious distress, but others might appear just fine.
Yet each person I encounter along the way is someone I can love.
Be kind to a server, be patient with a worker ‘in training’, be generous as a tipper.
Be polite to a telemarketer, be friendly to someone you meet on a walk.
These are neighbours we encounter too, and yet too often we ‘pass by on the other side’.
If you are open and caring, it will not take long to discover people who are wounded.
They may be friends or strangers, they may be enemies.
They have not crossed your poath “by chance” (v.31), it is a divine appointment.
A God-moment, to be the ears and words and hands and feet of Jesus for them.
And they are Jesus to you too, an opportunity to serve Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
I hear Jesus saying to me, “As you go on your journey, do likewise!”
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I have already met three people so far. You were in them, weren’t You? May Your face smile through me, may Your words bless through me, may Your compassion show through me.