[Following the story of the Good Samaritan:] "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 10:36-37 NLT
Who is our neighbor? Jesus wants to challenge our legalistic definitions and our racial and ethnic — and all other — limitations. So, the LORD made the hero of his story a Samaritan, who is someone detested by the expert in the law who had asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus' story reminded this expert, and us, that our neighbor is NOT someone who can do something FOR us or is similar to us, but the one who has a need that Jesus can meet THROUGH us. Let's always be that neighbor, beginning today!
Open my eyes each day, LORD, to the person who needs me to be his or her neighbor — beginning today. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."
Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."
—Luke 10:36-37 NLT
Key Thought
Who is our neighbor? Jesus wants to challenge our legalistic definitions and our racial and ethnic — and all other — limitations. So, the LORD made the hero of his story a Samaritan, who is someone detested by the expert in the law who had asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus' story reminded this expert, and us, that our neighbor is NOT someone who can do something FOR us or is similar to us, but the one who has a need that Jesus can meet THROUGH us. Let's always be that neighbor, beginning today!
Today's Prayer
Open my eyes each day, LORD, to the person who needs me to be his or her neighbor — beginning today. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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