What Jesus Did! 'True Neighbors!' — Luke 10:36-37

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

[Following the story of the Good Samaritan:] "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.

The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."

Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

— Luke 10:36-37 NLT

Key Thought

Who is our neighbor? Jesus wants to challenge our legalistic definitions and our racial and ethnic - and all other - limitations. So, the Lord made the hero of his story a Samaritan, who is someone detested by the expert in the law who had asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus' story reminded this expert, and us, that our neighbor is NOT someone who can do something FOR us or is similar to us, but the one who has a need that Jesus can meet THROUGH us. Let's always be that neighbor, beginning today!

Today's Prayer

Open my eyes each day, Lord, to the person who needs me to be his or her neighbor - beginning today. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 5:43-47
  • Leviticus 19:18
  • Zechariah 7:9

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 10:36-37 NLT — "Yes, now go and do the same."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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