...what do you need to do?...

“25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 26 He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ 27 He 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.’ 28 And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ 30 Jesus 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. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He 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. 35 The 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.” 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ 37 He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise’” Luke 10:25-37.

I have two questions for you to consider this day. The first question comes from the experience of the one who is beaten and left to die in a remote area of the road. How did you feel when you were in great need in your life, and someone showed you mercy — and helped you? No questions asked. You were just helped in a most generous and merciful way. You were never questioned. You were never made to feel guilty because of the reasons why you needed help. You were just helped. You may not have deserved help, but someone gave you help. And the help you received saved you from the trouble you were in. How do you feel about the person who made such a great difference in your life?

The second question is really a request, a request that you spend some time in prayer today with the Lord and ask Him this question: Jesus, would you help me to see the people I am passing by on the other side? Is there someone who needs your help, and you are ignoring them? Has someone hurt you and you may have forgiven them quietly, privately. But could you reach out to them and reconnect with them again, asking them if they need anything that you could help them with?

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,

have mercy on me a sinner.