Verse of the Day 4/12

Verse of the Day 4/12

Luke 10:36-37   So, now, tell me, which one of the three men who saw the wounded man proved to be the true neighbor?"

³⁷ The religious scholar responded, "The one who demonstrated kindness and mercy."

Jesus said, "You must go and do the same as he."    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Today's verses come from the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 where a lawyer had been questioning Jesus about what he needed to do to "inherit eternal life" (see below) Jesus asked him what was the greatest commandment to which the lawyer responded:

Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "

He had answered correctly and should have left it at that, but he wanted to justify himself by asking "who is my neighbor".  Jesus turned this on his and the pharisees heads by telling them the parable.  We may put ourselves in the same position.  Often, we try to put ourselves in the position of deciding who my neighbor should be, or at least, whom I consider to be my neighbor.  Jesus showed that it was the good Samaritan who chose who was his neighbor by showing compassion.

John MacArthur writes, "The lawyer assumed it was up to others to prove themselves neighbor to him. Jesus' reply makes it clear that each has a responsibility to be a neighbor—especially to those who are in need."  Think about that, we have the responsibility to be a neighbor.  Who will we choose to show this to, to exhibit kindness and compassion?

"Jesus invites us, His people to become neighbors.  We need not know someone to become their neighbor.  It is a decision to seek those who need love, compassion and care as the Samaritan did in this parable.  Others may be surprise to see who will be our neighbors."  (author unknown)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Luke 10:25-37 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

²⁶ He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"

²⁷ So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "

²⁸ And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."

²⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

³⁰ Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among ^[b]thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ On the next day, ^[c]when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' ³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"

³⁷ And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."

Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."