Friday February 18, 2011
Theme: A Biblical Example of Waging Love
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin, Holding Nothing Back - Tim Hughes, From the Inside Out - Hillsong
Read: Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7; Luke 15:8-10
Think: Pastor Ben talked about the parable of the Good Samaritan and asked the question, WHY? With all his knowledge, all of his wisdom, why would Jesus have to provide an analogy to get his message across? In reading other parables like the “Lost Sheep Parable - Matthew 18:12-14” or “The Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10” one thing became clear to me. God uses these stories to paint a picture of our hearts and describe how a Christian should live.
We as Christians can tend to consider ourselves to be more righteous than others around us. Verse 31 of Luke 10 refers to when the Priest saw the man and walked on the other side of the street. Why? Was it to avoid confrontation? Was it to avoid being asked for help? Was he too tired of helping others to stop and help this man? Did he think he was too good to help? We aren’t told why, but for whatever reason, the perceived religious leader walked as far away as he could from the man so he didn’t have to help.
In addition to high priests and religious leaders, Jesus also mentions the Levite as “one appointed to assist the priests in the ‘church’” in these parables in order for us, as church attendees, to relate to the messages he was conveying.
The Samaritan is described as “one who is compassionate and helpful to a person in distress”. He is a nameless individual who does not hold a high position in the community/church, unworthy of honor and on most accounts and someone who would be considered by most as the common man.
You don’t have to be in the position of leadership in the church or any organization to show compassion toward and have a positive impact on a fellow man. That is what true love is all about…doing something for someone else when there are no visible benefits, just like the Good Samaritan.
Do: Who can you help today to show your love for others without gaining any recognition for doing so?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you would Wage Love in my heart to allow me to volunteer and help out another that needs my help, allowing all the glory to go to you Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.