WHAT YOU choose to share with others shows how much you care.
When Jesus was twelve years old, he went to the Feast of Passover with his parents.
At the end of the celebration, as Joseph and Mary returned, Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem, sitting among teachers listening to them and asking them questions.
When his parents came looking for him, they said, “Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have sought you anxiously.”
“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Jesus replied. (Luke 2:48-49)
Jesus showed them how much he cared—he pointed them to the reason why he came.
The Narrative
AS JESUS GREW, he told many parables to his listeners. He engaged their imagination and made them ask questions.
One day, a scholar of the Hebrew scriptures said to him, “Teacher, what must I do to experience eternal life?”
What is written in the Law? How do you read?
He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
You have answered correctly. Do this and live.
But the scholar wanted to play smart—so, he asked. “Who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:25-29)
He had the right answer but not the right heart.
Do you have the right heart?
If not, ask the Lord to create in you a pure heart and renew the right spirit within you. (Psalm 51:10)
Are you looking to God?
JESUS TOLD HIM a story.
A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho when thieves attacked him.
They took all that he had, beat him up and left him for dead.
Isn’t this the picture of humanity? We lost everything when Adam and Eve sinned. (Genesis 3:1-21)
When we look to God, everything looks good. But when we turn from Him, everything looks bad.
Who is driving you?
A PRIEST happened to be going down the same road. When he saw the injured man, he passed on the other side.
A Levite saw him too and passed on the other side. (Luke 10:31-32)
Both men felt they had something more important to attend to, and they couldn’t spare time and resources.
These were men expected to have a certain understanding, but they behaved to the contrary.
Self drove them.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less – C.S. Lewis.
What are you seeking?
THERE WAS a Samaritan passing that same route. When he saw him, he stopped and took pity on him. (Luke 10:33)
He went to him, bandaged his wounds poured oil and wine.
He put the injured man on his donkey, brought him to the inn, and cared for him.
The Good Samaritan gave some money to the innkeeper and told him to take care of him till he returns.
He took ownership, leadership and responsibility—he undid his shame.
He went across racial lines, rescued him from death and nursed him back to life.
The Good Samaritan behaved like a man, not seeking favour but responding to God’s command—that was what Jesus did. (Hebrews 10:14)
Bringing It Together
THE QUESTION isn’t who is your neighbour but what kind of neighbour are you?
Our pleasing God is hinged on our relationship with Him and our fellow men.
Let God drive you. Submit your attitude to Him—and the only way to express Jesus is to go and do likewise.