May 6, 2018
The mission of New Day is summed up in one parable that Jesus shared. A story of a man who LOVED endlessly, relentlessly and passionately.
And before we read the story together, what I don’t want to happen, is for any of us to say, “okay, I need to be more like this or like that” or even say “I need to do _________ now”. I hope and pray we can get a glimpse into why Jesus shared this amazing story and understand the WHY behind the what. The relational behind the functional!
I believe as we go through this story it will greatly impact our life today and beyond.
People all around us are crying out to God in their pain and confusion. They are looking for someone to come around them in these vulnerable places and be a conduit for the love of God.
God wants to pour Himself out through us, but are we ready and equipped for these moments?
Before we read the story, look at these words from Jesus –
John 13:34-35
34 “So I give you now a new[r] commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. 35 For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.”
Luke 10:25-42
25 Just then a religious scholar stood before Jesus in order to test his doctrines. He posed this question: “Teacher, what requirement must I fulfill if I want to live forever in heaven?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does Moses teach us? What do you read in the Law?”
27 The religious scholar answered, “It states, ‘You must love the Lord God with all your heart, all your passion, all your energy, and your every thought. And you must love your neighbor as well as you love yourself.’”
28 Jesus said, “That is correct. Now go and do exactly that and you will live.”
29 Wanting to justify himself, he questioned Jesus further, saying, “What do you mean by ‘my neighbor’?”
30 Jesus replied, “Listen and I will tell you. There was once a Jewish[k] man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when bandits robbed him along the way. They beat him severely, stripped him naked, and left him half dead.
31 “Soon, a Jewish priest walking down the same road came upon the wounded man. Seeing him from a distance, the priest crossed to the other side of the road and walked right past him, not turning to help him one bit.
32 “Later, a religious man, a Levite,[l] came walking down the same road and likewise crossed to the other side to pass by the wounded man without stopping to help him.
33 “Finally, another man, a Samaritan,[m] came upon the bleeding man and was moved with tender compassion for him. 34 He stooped down and gave him first aid, pouring olive oil on his wounds, disinfecting them with wine, and bandaging them to stop the bleeding. Lifting him up, he placed him on his own donkey and brought him to an inn. Then he took him from his donkey and carried him to a room for the night. 35 The next morning he took his own money from his wallet and gave it to the innkeeper with these words: ‘Take care of him until I come back from my journey. If it costs more than this, I will repay you when I return.’[n] 36 So, now, tell me, which one of the three men who saw the wounded man proved to be the true neighbor?”
37 The religious scholar responded, “The one who demonstrated kindness and mercy.”
Jesus said, “You must go and do the same as he.”
Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
38–39 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. 40 But Martha became exasperated by finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.”
41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? 42 Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”