Highlights In Today's Reading:
Instructions for evangelists (10:1-12); those with indifference to their mighty experiences are denounced (10:13-16); and 70 rejoiced over their victories (10:17-24). Remember the 1st great commandment and the 2nd in Matthew 22:36-40? Our Savior, the Perfect Good Samaritan, teaches its meaning (Luke 10:29-37). We should all do the needful thing daily (10:39,42). Christ teaches the model prayer (11:1-4); need for persistence (11:5-9); need for faith (11:10-12); and our Gift from the Father (11:13). Don't miss reading 11:23! Woe to the self-centered, self-righteous, scribes and Pharisees (11:39-54).
A certain lawyer tested Jesus (10:25) concerning His interpretaion of Law. The lawyer's own interpretation gave him an excuse for his dislike for the Samaritans. His demand to know whom he must love exposed a life which was governed by religious rules and regulations.
The sufferer who fell among thieves which stripped him and left him half-dead was a . . . man (10:30) — nothing more. The others are designated by profession or nationality but he had no label around his neck to label him as neighbour (10:29). The Samaritan's conduct was that of a neighbor who was prompted by his heart and not his prejudices. He was generous and self-denying when he saw someone who fell among thieves, which . . . wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. . . . a certain Samaritan . . . went to him, and bound up his wounds . . . and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him (10:30-34).
The nationality of the helper must not be overlooked. Samaritans were born of the marriages of the poorest Israelites left behind at the exile and the Gentiles who were brought in by the Assyrians after they defeated the Northern Kingdom. This parable leaves no doubt as to who is my neighbour, by brushing away all prejudices of race, all differences of creed, all enmities rooted in history. One is your Master . . . and all ye are brethren (Matthew 23:8).
This despised Samaritan responded with a Christ-like love which others had not found in their theological dogmatism.
It is the characteristic mark of genuine love that does not ask if the neighbor deserved love but does he need love. The lawyer inquired: "Who is my neighbor?" But the Samaritan asked quite another question: "To whom can I be a neighbor?"
Give none offence . . . Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved (I Corinthians 10:32-33).
Thought for Today:
Jesus said: By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
Word Studies:
10:40 cumbered about =b> frustrated over all she had to do; 10:41 careful =b> overly concerned; 11:8 importunity =b> persistence; 11:39 ravening =b> greed, covetousness; 11:46 lade =b> load; 11:53 vehemently =b> fiercely.
Cross References:
For Luke 10:27: See Leviticus 19:18. Luke 10:28: See Leviticus 18:5.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Country: Liberia (3 million) in West Africa • Major languages: English and more than 20 local languages of the Niger-Congo language group • Religious freedom • 41% ancestor worship and witchcraft; 21% Muslim; 13% Protestant; 2% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord; our God is the Mighty God (Psa. 50:1).
Memory Verse for the Week: Mark 4:19