Today’s Devotion
Topic: Your Neighbour!
Text: Luke 10: 36
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Amen
We already established yesterday that an expert in the law approached Jesus to test Him. He asked “teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life”. After Jesus had answered correctly by asking him to love the Lord with all his heart and to love his neighbour too, this expert in the law went on to ask who his neighbour is. Although the question was only a means to justify himself as learned, Jesus used the opportunity to teach us who our neighbour should be. He said:
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ (Luke 10: 30- 35).
Now, Jesus wanted the man to answer for himself; so He asked “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10: 36- 37).
Beloved, if only we can understand that we are all each other’s keeper regardless of tribe, race or religious position. Good or religious as we may be, it could be any of us in the hands of life’s uncertainties (robbers).
You see sometimes, certain unexpected situations strip us off our clothes (or glamour); it beats us up and leaves us by the road to die slowly. At that unconscious state, no one really cares about tribe, race or affiliation. All you will want is some bandage on your wounds, medication for your broken body, and a chance to live again.
Jesus reveals to us today that those who can love God with all their hearts and can love ANYONE at all and help them live again, will inherit eternal life. Beloved, look around you today. Souls are perishing on every side. Some do not know the Lord Jesus, others do but have fallen into the hands of thieves and life’s uncertainties.
Why don’t you pray for all these people? Why won’t you extend a hand? Why wont you be spent for the Lord? Win a soul for Christ, bandage a wound of another, place a weakling on your donkey and lead them to safety. Pay some two denarii to cover the expenses of one who can never afford quality healthcare, education, accommodation or food. Be willing to do more and more till they are back on their feet again. Always remember that as you do this for your neighbour, you do to the Lord.
Please note that the Samaritan did not do all these for recognition or reimbursement when the man is well. His love for God and man compelled him to. Meditate on the Word therefore and pray for grace to be a great neighbour to a dying soul today. For tomorrow comes and God will ask why you walked away the other side. In that same tomorrow, you may be the one needing a neighbour; someone to help you back on your feet again. Life is like that!
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