Month: July 2019

In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10:32-34

Have you ever really gone out of your way to care for someone? Did you put their needs ahead of your own, using your time and your money? Most people are willing to help others to a point, as long as the time or cost isn’t too great, or perhaps dangerous.

The Samaritan in this story not only provided first aid, he took the injured man to a safe place and cared for him. That’s a pretty big deal! Jesus calls us all to care for others in much the same way, and sometimes it means putting ourselves out, adjusting our schedule and expending our resources. Does it mean taking crime victims to our homes and caring for them personally? Perhaps – it depends on the situation.

Jesus was teaching us to worry about our neighbors first, to use what we have been given to bless them, meeting their needs where necessary. Sometimes it’s just a small thing – a ride to work when their car is in the shop, mowing the lawn while they’re out of town. But as the scripture shows us, we need to be prepared to help in larger ways as we are able. Don’t pass by on the other side! Our neighbors need our help!

Loving Lord, we are sometimes afraid to help. We fear danger, continuing commitment, loss of resources and public opinion. Help us help our neighbors without fear, and make us strong in Your love. Amen.

In reply Jesus 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. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
Luke 10:30-31

“He passed by on the other side.” Is there a sadder statement anywhere? Someone is in trouble and we ignore it. Someone is in need and we do nothing. I understand we are not all first responders and some situations are beyond our personal means to resolve, but to do nothing is to reject our responsibility to each other and to God.

Mother Theresa of Calcutta was revered for her ministry with the poor, doing work personally and encouraging others to support her efforts. She once said “If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one”. She teaches us that when we look at a huge problem we are often overwhelmed and think we can never solve it. Instead, we should choose an action we can accomplish, becoming part of the solution.

Bishop Desmond Tutu said “There comes a point when we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream to find out why they’re falling in.” There are systemic problems in our world that need our collective attention, but we must not stop helping individuals while we analyze. Jesus taught us that our gifts can be used right where we are in the situations we face everyday. Use what God has given you to love your neighbor and show your love for God.

Gracious God, we are all called to be part of Your work, sharing Your love with a broken world. Give us courage and strength to go to our neighbors, and never pass by on the other side. Amen.

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:28-29

Jesus tells the legal expert in our scripture passage that he has the right answer, but the man still has more questions. Jesus is always ready to answer us, but we are often blind to what He has already taught us or willfully ignorant. While this story began with the man testing Jesus, the situation is changing.

We hear the wisdom and love Jesus gives us, but we are sometimes unable to make it fit our view of ourselves and our world – and that is our problem. Instead of fitting the teaching into our understanding, we must put ourselves into what we have heard, accepting the love and responsibility that goes with that gift. This is what we are called to do, changing our hearts and lives based on His example.

Like Peter asking how many times to forgive (Matthew 18:22), we want specifics, a limit after which we are free to ignore the teaching. The legal expert asks “who is my neighbor” to determine where the line is drawn. Jesus doesn’t allow that option, and leads us to see that like Him, our love and forgiveness must be infinite.

Loving Lord, we have been taught to love You and our neighbor as ourselves. Help us to see everyone as a brother or sister in Christ, loving the world as You do. Amen.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Luke 10:25-27

The legal expert asking Jesus about eternal life was trying to force Him to give an answer that could then be debated and disproved. Instead, Jesus asks a question of him and the legal expert, used to responding, answers quickly according to the law. Jesus has turned the tables, showing this man that God has already given us the answers, we must now understand and accept them.

We’ve all encountered that situation – someone asks us a question, not really wanting the true answer but only to debate or change what they know is the correct response. We do this with God all the time. We already know the answer but we’d like a different one, an exception, an “out”. God is a patient and loving parent, but He is also constant and consistent. His answers are always the same.

Jesus will have more to say about this, not because the truth ever changes, but to help us understand God’s love. The legal expert has it right in this case – to love God and love others is the way to eternal life. When we accept this truth and begin to practice it, we obey God’s law.

Gracious God, we are constantly looking for a loophole, an escape clause that would let us avoid our duty to You and our neighbor. Help us to be responsible in our attitude and behavior, obeying the commandments of love You have given. Amen.

In this week’s Gospel lesson (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20), Jesus commissions and sends out a group of followers to go to the places He intends to visit. They are to “prepare the way of the Lord” as John the Baptist did, sharing the love of God with everyone. It is an awesome thing that He trusts them to be His representatives, sharing His story with others.

Our call as followers today is the same as it was for His followers then – to go into the world and let them know that Jesus is coming. God’s children still need to hear His message of love and forgiveness, perhaps now more than ever. How will we prepare the way of the Lord?

Let God provide for you as He did for them; as He always has. Take the story of Jesus with you everywhere, for that is where He intends to go. Tell it to everyone, for everyone is who He intends to save. Our mission is to share His truth by sharing the love He has given us with all the world.

Loving Lord, we are humbled that You choose us as Your people, called to be part of Your saving work. Here we are, Lord – send us! We go out in Your name. Amen.

Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Luke 10:23-24

Jesus tells His disciples that they have been blessed by their experiences, and that others wanted to see and hear what they had but were unable to do so. Is Jesus saying that God withholds His blessing from some people? Not exactly.

Obviously God can do whatever He wants, but we know He is loving and just. God doesn’t do things based on emotion or whims. He wouldn’t keep His gifts from anyone just because He “feels like it”. Those are human failings, and God doesn’t fail. His love and blessings are intended for everyone, but we must confess God as Lord and accept those blessings. It’s not enough to just want them.

Jesus mentions powerful people, kings and prophets, those who often count on their own strength rather than relying on God. The lesson here is that we must turn to God, placing His desires for us over our own. When we have this wonderful connection, we can receive these gifts. Our relationship with Him and others is the channel for our blessings.

Heavenly Father, we are thankful to be counted as members of Your family, and blessed to be part of Your plan for creation. Help us to use Your gifts to reach others that they too may be connected to You. Amen.

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”
Luke 10:21

Jesus rejoiced for this first “mission trip”, a sending out of believers to share the Good News with others. He knew that this work would be the spark that ignited the faithful to carry on His ministry of love and connection. Those who follow Jesus are all charged with bringing the world to Him by bringing the Gospel to the world.

When we share our faith with others, we have a chance to be part of this mission. It gives us all the opportunity to grow – those who share are blessed with greater understanding of God’s plan for them, those who receive are blessed with the joy of forgiveness and renewed life in God.

Christianity has been called the best pyramid scheme ever, but instead of human greed giving the benefits to those at the top, Jesus gave it all to us! His love flows down to all people in equal measure, from the first to receive Him to the most recent convert. No one is any higher than any other in His system, we are all His brothers and sisters, part of the family business. Go into the world today in the knowledge that Christ goes before us, ready to help us change the lives of others and our own.

Loving Lord, thank You for the chance to be part of Your eternal plan and Your work in the world. May we be confident workers for You. Amen.

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:16-20

Jesus told His disciples that their true joy is not in success on earth but that “your names are written in Heaven”. He teaches that the advance of God’s kingdom is the most important thing of all, that bringing others to know Him is our primary duty. He calls us all to be His representatives on earth.

What a marvelous promise for those who are faithful! When we share His love with others, we ourselves are blessed as well. Our choice to obey is the key – God gave us our own will and the ability to choose. However, as Jesus warns “whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” While we are free to choose, there are consequences for our behavior.

These are things we need to be aware of every day. We have responsibilities to God and each other, and earthly victory is nothing compared to eternity. May we always choose to follow the path Jesus showed us and help others to choose Him for themselves.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the love and freedom You provide. Help us to share that love with everyone, using our freedom wisely. Amen.

When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Luke 10:8-9

Jesus sent His followers out to minister to people in places that had not yet heard His story. They were to accept whatever hospitality they were offered, without concern for their own customs or wants. They were to live with them, healing the sick and teaching about God’s love.

Their ministry really wasn’t “for” Jesus, and certainly not for themselves – it was about loving God first and their neighbors as themselves. They had found something very special in their connection to the Lord, and they were eager to share that joy with all who would receive the Good News. Their mission wasn’t just about helping people, but helping people to know God.

I remember a mission trip with a group of youth to work in an urban setting, and no matter what job we were assigned for the day, we prayed together with those we worked for to begin and end our task. It was about doing something for them to be sure, but the larger goal was to share God’s love. It is important that the people we help know we love them, but more important that they know God loves them.

Loving Lord, we ask Your blessing as we go into the world today. Make us strong in faith to show Your love to those injured by sin. May we share Your healing presence with everyone we meet. Amen.

“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”
Luke 10:3-7

Jesus gives specific instructions to those He sends to share His story. This guidance may sound a bit unusual to us but it was common for traveling teachers of that time to go from village to village, relying on the hospitality of the people there for their livelihood. Jesus is teaching those He sends that God will provide for their needs when they go in obedience.

Jesus is setting the stage for what will come later, when His followers are responsible for spreading the Gospel themselves, without His physical presence. God has called us all to be ministers of His word, sharing the joy of our connection to Him and His love with everyone. Like those in this passage, we must rely on Him to provide for us.

When He led the children of Israel into the desert, He was teaching them reliance on His goodness and perseverance. Like them, we are to go out in faith, confident that God fulfills His promise, and that our work in His name will be beneficial for the world. Hear God’s call for you, and go where He sends you!

Loving Lord, we are Your people, fed by Your hand and protected by Your Spirit. Use us to share Your love around the world, servants of Your kingdom and bearers of Your truth. Amen.