“But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?'” -Luke 10:29
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is probably one of the most well known parables that Jesus taught. But it was probably one of the most scandalous as well. Samaritans were hated by the Jews and for Jesus to use a Samaritan as the hero of the story would have been a shock to their ears!
Jesus is calling us to a radical love that was exhibited by Jesus on the cross over 2000 years ago. Jesus tells us that all of God’s children are our neighbors, no exceptions!
Worship Music This Sunday
Sunday’s Traditional worship hymn is O Christ, Your Heart, Compassionate
Jesus tells a parable about following God great commandment, in which the lowly give and receive lavish mercy. Our hymn of the day extols the compassionate heart of Christ, and asks that we may be made to be just as compassionate.
Sunday’s New Day Praise worship song is Kindness by Louie Giglio, Jesse Reeves, and Chris Tomlin
“It’s your kindness Lord that leads us to repentance.” We love because God first loves us. We forgive because God first forgives us. We can be merciful, because God first is merciful to us. God’s kindness frees us to be God’s children!
For Further Reflection
America seems to be more divided than ever.
We tend to circle the wagons around those like us–those who share the same values, theology, and social circles. We view those from who we disagree as “the others,” setting up an US vs. THEM mentality.
How can we as followers of Jesus show that radical love toward all of our neighbors?
What would it look like if we agreed to disagree and love others even if we don’t particularly like their actions?
