Morning by Morning, April 3 - The Compassion of God in the Heart of the Good Samaritan
"Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus" (Luke 10:25).
Oh boy. Here it comes. A lawyer standing up to test Jesus -- now some sparks are going to fly! I used to be a lawyer (actually still licensed in the State of Texas but on "inactive" status since I'm "active" doing other things besides testing Jesus now). I was a trial lawyer and now all about asking testy questions and then seeking to "justify (ourselves)" when we don't get the answers we want to hear! (Luke 10:29)
But You used this little time of cross-examination to lead us all to more closely examine our own hearts. You turned the lawyer's testing into a teaching moment about compassion, mercy, grace, and love. You spoke about loving God and loving our neighbor, then told the shocking parable of the Good Samaritan to show us just how abundantly extravagant our love is to be toward everyone around us when we abundantly extravagantly love our God who loves us that way (Luke 10:30-37). You told the story of one who set aside all his pride and prejudice to give his time and resources to compassionately help someone in need.
As it turns out, the lawyer wound up being the one on trial. And I think the evidence of his life wound probably show his heart of love was weighed on the sales of justice and found wanting. Maybe our hearts would be too. At that time, many Samaritans in general hated the Jews and many Jews in general hated the Samaritans. They had many theological differences, many cultural differences that kept them from seeing one another with God's eyes and loving one another with God's heart.
You were never one to water down the truth or compromise with confused theology, even among the Samaritans like the Samaritan woman at the well when you spoke the truth in love to her to say "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know" (John 4:22). But even in compassionately talking with her about the touchy, testy issues of theology and sin in her life, You pointed her to the God who loves her want deeply, personal relationship with her, saying "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). Instead of feeling condemned, she ran away free to tell everybody about You and the expression of God's love in the spirit and truth through You (John 4:28-30). Who knows, maybe that's even why there winds up being a "good Samaritan" who crosses the road to help a hurting Jew who was so different from himself and so different from the beliefs of his religion and culture (Luke 10:33).
After the verdict for this lawyer's heart came down, the decree from the court of Heaven was to "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). The execution of the judgment of the court from the One who is the Judge of the living and the dead was to go and show "mercy" in the love of God to all who are in need -- in need of compassion, mercy, grace, and love no matter where they stand in the community or even how they stand on theological truth.
Lord, teach me how to love like that -- not compromising with truth, but always walking in love. Teach me how to abundantly, extravagantly love You just like You love me and then love everyone around me -- my neighbors -- with that same abundant, extravagant love. As You said to the lawyer, "Do this and you will live" (Luke 10:28). By the power of Your grace, let it be so. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you keep learning to love like Jesus, never compromising with the truth in the face of cultural or religious pressure but always full of the abundant, extravagant love of God, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
First Wednesday Worship and Healing Service, April 3rd.
Friends, I'm excited to be sharing a word of hope and healing at the First Wednesday Service at Oak Hills Church, Crownridge, in San Antonio this coming Wednesday Night at 7PM in the West Auditorium.(Oak Hills Church led by Max Lucado and Travis Eades). All are welcome so please come join us if you can and pray for us if you can't. God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Please share this word to encourage a friend!
