Luke 10:30-37 Demonstrating the Love of Christ in the World

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.  And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,  and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”  And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

In the Bible, the word “love” does not always refer to a romantic term.  The two most common ancient terms for love is the term “hessed” in the Old Testament which refers to a loyal concern for another person.  In the New Testament the term “agape” is used which is the term described in this lesson.  Agape describes a sacrificial giving of ones-self for the benefit of another.  When Jesus went to the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, this is an example of the word agape.  In today’s lesson, the Samaritan gave of himself sacrificially to the stranger who had run into hard times.  For this reason Jesus asks the question, Was he merciful?  Yes, he was, but more than merciful, he showed agape love or a sacrificial concern for another.  To this Jesus commands us, “Go and do the same.”

Daily Prayer:  Lord, we expect the love of others, but sometimes are slow to give it.  Put Your love in our heart so that we do not always put ourselves first, but treat everyone the way we want to be treated.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.