Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV)
Read Luke 10:25-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Verse 26He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" Verse 27He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Verse 28And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." Verse 29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Verse 30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Verse 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Verse 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. Verse 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. Verse 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Verse 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Verse 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" Verse 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Devotion
And who is my neighbor? Unlike the man who sought to justify himself, we may ask out of frustration. We see all sorts of people who need our compassion. The whole world is covered by the evening news on TV (as well as in the morning paper). There are millions of desperate people fleeing war, starving because of drought, orphaned because of AIDS … Maybe Bill Gates can help more of them, but my tithe will make very little difference. I am tempted to throw up my hands in despair. Every mail delivery faces me with the dilemma of which, if any, of the dozen requests for money I should support. Am I really helping my neighbor?
The answer is “yes,” if I carefully choose the organizations that keep overhead low. It is yes when thousands or perhaps even millions band together in showing compassion.
Prayer
Lord, the media combine to show me my many neighbors who need help. You have compassion on all of them. Show me where I can best do my part. Amen.