The Virtuous Life – Day 254 – Luke 10:30-37 – Do The Same – Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.  “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.  A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.  “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.  Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.  The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’  “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.  The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:30-37 (NLT)

Who Is My Neighbor?

That is what I will do. What will you do? I will love like you loved. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. How will you love and give and serve others? What will you do differently? I will have my heart and eyes and hands open and ready to help my neighbor. Who is your neighbor? My neighbor is anyone in need.  My neighbor is anyone I can help. Yes, that is true. You are correct. You have answered well. What might it cost you to love your neighbor? I’m not sure how to limit that answer to only loving my neighbor. What are you thinking? I am thinking that my love for my neighbor is part of my loving you. I cannot separate loving you from loving my neighbor. Loving you causes me to love my neighbor. Loving you causes me to go and do what you have asked me. What have I asked you? You want me to love my neighbor. Loving you and my neighbor is how I can be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. Loving you and my neighbor is how I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Loving you and loving my neighbor is how I can store up treasure in heaven with you. Yes, this is all true. Then when you ask me what it might cost to love my neighbor, I can only answer by saying loving you and my neighbor will cost me everything I have, everything I am, and everything I hope to be. Is that cost too high? Is that price too much? No, it is not. With your help, I will pay that price. My life is in your hands. I am at your disposal. That is very good.

Lord, I will not ignore and walk right on by those in need. I will have my heart and eyes and hands open to those who are in need. I will love my neighbor by helping them when they are in need. I will love like you loved even when it costs me a great deal. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord given you opportunities to love a neighbor by helping them with a need?

Living It Out…  Demonstrate your love for your neighbors by helping them with their needs.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that the Lord will help you to love your neighbors by helping them with their needs.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are loving your neighbors by helping them with their needs.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you love your neighbor by helping them when they are in need.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Compassionate Life – Day 254 – Luke 10-30-37 – Do The Same – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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