God’s Word of Love
Introduction
Luke 10:25-42: Today’s reading includes a parable that Jesus tells to explain what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. This story is known by many as “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” After telling this story, Jesus visits Mary and Martha and teaches about priorities.
Scripture Reading
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 A teacher of the Law came up and tried to trap Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?”
26Jesus answered him, “What do the Scriptures say? How do you interpret them?”
27 The man answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”
28 “You are right,” Jesus replied; “do this and you will live.”
29But the teacher of the Law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
30Jesus answered, “There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. 31It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side. 32In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. 34He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he told the innkeeper, ‘and when I come back this way, I will pay you whatever else you spend on him.’”
36And Jesus concluded, “In your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers?”
37The teacher of the Law answered, “The one who was kind to him.”
Jesus replied, “You go, then, and do the same.”
Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. 40Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!”
41The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, 42but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 10:29b
He asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
Reflect
Why does Jesus answer the question posed by a teacher of the Law with a parable? What does this parable teach you about love? In the story about Mary and Martha, Martha is concerned with practical matters like preparing food and offering hospitality. Mary is more interested in listening to Jesus teach. Why does Jesus praise Mary? What does he want Martha to know? What does this passage mean to you?
Pray
Lord Jesus, fill me with compassion and help me to reach out in love to those in need. Teach me to focus on those things that are most important and order my steps this day so that my actions are in accord with your will. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 36: A psalm in praise of God’s goodness and love.