Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 27, 2023
Luke 10:25-37
25 A legal expert stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to gain eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law? How do you interpret it?” 27 He responded, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 28 Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” 29 But the legal expert wanted to prove that he was right, so he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He encountered thieves, who stripped him naked, beat him up, and left him near death. 31 Now it just so happened that a priest was also going down the same road. When he saw the injured man, he crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. 32 Likewise, a Levite came by that spot, saw the injured man, and crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. 33 A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. 34 The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, tending them with oil and wine. Then he placed the wounded man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day, he took two full days’ worth of wages and gave them to the innkeeper. He said, ‘Take care of him, and when I return, I will pay you back for any additional costs.’ 36 What do you think? Which one of these three was a neighbor to the man who encountered thieves?” 37 Then the legal expert said, “The one who demonstrated mercy toward him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Good Morning! Stand up and Bless the Lord!
In a world of pain and despair, which side of the road would you choose? In a world filled with danger and deceit, it is hard for us to honestly consider helping a stranger. We read of so many scams that we become cynical, and our hearts turn to stone when we see someone on the street in need. It has become so hard to muster the spirit of the Good Samaritan that lies deep within us.
If we are honest, when we see someone “begging” for mercy (food, money, work), our first thought is one less than loving. We scoff and say, “Why don’t they get a job? Every local business is short of workers?” “I work hard to earn my money; he/she should too.” “If I give them money, they will just buy drugs or alcohol.”
Who are we to judge? We cannot know how this person ended up in this place. Sure, some are scams; some may want to lure us in and then take all we have, but what if one is a lost soul who is truly in need? We know the parable of the sheep and goats. One day, we will be called to judgment. Will be grouped with the sheep or the goats? When we humble ourselves and serve the least of God’s children, we are serving God.
If we give out of love, we will be blessed. We are called to share our abundance with all those in need. As we continue in the season of giving, consider giving to a stranger you encounter. Your gift might be someone’s first step towards a new life: a life with Christ.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. You bless us and ask us to bless others in return. Help us to give to others out of love. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Our abundance can serve another person’s needs.
Give from your heart on this third day of Christmas! Pastor Liz
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