Shine: Week 2 - Day 2
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, break my heart for the suffering around me. Don’t let me continue to focus only on what matters to me but turn my heart to what matters to you.
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him “Go and do likewise.”
REFLECT:
The Samaritan went above and beyond taking care of the injured man. He could have bandaged his wounds and called it a day, but the Samaritan didn’t stop at what was easiest. Jesus could have ended the story here and used this parable as an opportunity to instruct us to provide aide to those who are injured or hurting. This would have been a good and right instruction. But Jesus takes this illustration one step further. He tells of the Samaritan putting the man on his donkey and taking him to an inn, which was likely out of the way. The Samaritan paid the innkeeper to look after the man and said that he would return the next day to continue to provide care. The Samaritan goes above and beyond to provide care to the injured man.
Jesus is calling us to this type of sacrificial service. It’s easy to feel good about ourselves when we help others, but do we ever stop and ask if we have met the need in a significant way? Helping those around us is always a good thing, but could we do more? Are we doing what feels comfortable to us or are we serving in the way of the Samaritan? Sometimes serving those around us will cost us more than we expected. When this happens, what will we do? Shine by offering practical help to ease the suffering of those around you.
APPLY:
Read the full parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Honestly reflect if this is the type of love and care that you show to those around you. What are some ways you could go above and beyond to care for your friends and neighbors?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Continue to refine my heart and show me how I can be more like the good Samaritan. Give me conviction in situations where I can step up and do more for my neighbors.
Try our new YouTube Channel for your favorite Pathway Church Worship songs to add a musical component to your daily time with God. Subscribe here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe2eV87mDOpuXtzZxaMOQQ/