Luke 10:29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (NIV)
I have read this section of scripture many times, but today I was struck by the fact that this lawyer wanted to justify himself. What, exactly, was he trying to justify? So I asked Google, which led me to a fascinating article on this passage written by a professor of Emory’s Chandler School of Theology. According to this professor, the lawyer wanted to justify that what he was doing—how he was acting, who he was helping—was enough. He wanted Jesus’s answer to allow him to pat himself on the back for living as his religion instructed. Instead, Jesus tells him the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (NLT)
The part of the explanation that has gripped me this morning lies in the fact that, according to this professor, Jesus wants the lawyer to see himself as the victim in the parable. I’ve always listened to the parable as an observer. Jesus wants the lawyer—and us—to see ourselves as the victim, face down in the ditch, passed by by those who should have helped, shown mercy by one who has every reason not to help. Think about lying beaten, face down in that ditch. Think about the most “undesirable,” “untouchable” person you can muster, one whom you would cross the street to avoid. In your time of need, that undesirable person, whom you would have avoided at all costs, is the only person who reached out, ministered to you, tended your wounds. That’s mercy. That’s grace. That’s love. That is how we are commanded to act.
Luke 10:36-37a Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture and commentary. The lawyer came to You seeking justification, a pat on the back. He walked away with renewed humility, a deepened understanding of mercy. I, too, walk away from this scripture with renewed humility, a deepened understanding of mercy. Help me to show Your humility and mercy to all those I meet. Draw me always closer. Amen.
Luke 10:37b Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Have a blessed day.
Fierce love and deep mercy…. (devo reflection)
James 2:13 …Mercy triumphs over judgement.
My caustic inner critic is at it again. She’s dragging to the fore attitudes and insecurities I thought had long been dealt with. She’s calling into question my abilities as a wife, mother, teacher, person. She’s frantically whispering that I should NOT share these feelings and insecurities because I am the only one who deals with them. She thrives in silence and shame. Jesus, Help me.
Luke 6:36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Even with my rational, intelligent side, the temptation is great to believe that I am just too far gone, too messed up, have said too many insecure, irrational things to be salvaged. All she has to do is crack open the door of insecurities, and they all come tumbling out, readily acknowledged. Yep, I’ve screwed up over and over in all my roles. Maybe I am too far gone. Thankfully, my precious Savior doesn’t deem anyone too far gone. He doesn’t love us because of what we’ve done right. He loves us because we are His—fully, completely, entirely His beloved children. He doesn’t need any other reason.
Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for Your fierce love and deep mercy, for the gift of knowing that my inner critic lies. We often pick up the noise of the world, “You aren’t good enough; you’ve screwed up too many times to be salvaged; you are no good to anyone.” Help us to tune out that rubbish and to hear instead Your still, soft voice, whispering, “You are loved; you are cherished; you are enough, simply because you are My deeply beloved.” Help us to show ourselves mercy for our faults and to trust Your deep love for us. Draw us closer. Amen.
Lam 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning….
Have a blessed day.
Spreading the Good News…. (devo reflection)
Phil 1:12 And I want you to know…that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
Perspective can make a significant difference in a situation. Unfortunately, when bad things happen, my first response is often, “Why me? Why this? Why now?” One of my readings today asked: “Are you willing for God to use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those around you?” Jesus, Help shift my focus so that, no matter my circumstances, I seek to show others Your saving power through my reaction.
Gen 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good….
That shift in focus feels revolutionary. With it, my question shifts from “Why me?” to “How can I use this to shine Your light?” And that is truly what I want more than anything—to show others the fierce love and unfathomable grace of my Savior. Help me, Jesus.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this reminder. Thank You for the difference made by a slight change in perspective. Help me to view my circumstances through the lens of “How can I use this situation to shine Your light for others?” Draw me closer. Give me strength. Amen.
Luke 21:13 This will be your chance to tell the Good News.
Have a blessed day.
Valuing people over possessions…. (devo reflection)
Rev 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Our culture values stuff. The premise of almost any commercial is “If you buy this product, your life will be enriched.” Therefore, it is not surprising to me that every semester when I talk to students about future careers, there is always at least one who doesn’t care what he does as long as he “makes bank.” Most everything in our culture indicates that money means happiness, or at the very least, having money means you can buy happiness.
1 Cor 13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
I wonder what would happen if, as a culture, we shifted our focus away from making money and acquiring things and toward loving others? What if, instead of chasing after the almighty dollar, we chased after others, showering them with love and compassion? I almost can’t imagine such a world, but wouldn’t it be astounding to witness?
Psalm 22:19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for these thoughts that I will continue to ponder in my heart. Help me as an individual and help our culture to value people over possessions, to value helping others over “making bank.” Draw us closer to You. Remake us in Your imagine. Amen.
Luke 1:46-47 … “My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior….”
Have a blessed day.