Living in the Spirit
July 10, 2022
Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-37
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ –Luke 10:29-37
Who indeed is our neighbor? The USA has worked hard over the years to segment our society with red lines and highway construction separating people by race and income. The principalities and powers have taken it upon themselves to define who can live with whom over the years that we are just now trying to seriously correct. Oklahoma City was hit last night by a storm called a microburst, a localized column of sinking air, that can cause a lot of damage in a small area. We apparently had more than one. What I noticed this morning, as the news showed pictures of people cleaning up the mess, was that the neighborhood included a very diverse group of residents and they were all working together to return their neighborhood to wholeness.
God’s love is infinite. This story shares that concept well. Another scripture that applies is when Jesus is asked how many times must we forgive someone, seven times? Jesus’s response was seven times seventy. (Matthew 18:22) Jesus may have been recalling Genesis 4:24–If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold.’ The number seven in the Israelite culture represented completeness.
God’s love exceeds any boundary we might want to set. We must be very sure when we make decisions about our interactions with others that we are well aligned with God’s will and ways.
Prayer: Lord, as we deal with people help us to clearly understand your desire for our interaction. Guide us in understanding our time to help and our time to refrain from helping apart from our setting our own boundaries of love. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.