Psalm of the Day: Psalm 136:1-13
Wisdom of the Day: Proverbs 9:10-18
Scripture Reading: Luke 10:29-37
We are taught to what extent we are to show kindness and love to others. We are told that the Samaritan's compassion towards the wounded traveler was not confined to feelings and passive impressions. He took much trouble to give him help. He acted as well as felt. He spared no pains or expense in befriending him. Nor was this all. On the next day he gave the host of the inn money, saying, "Take care of him, and whatever more you spend on him, I will repay you when I come back." And our Lord says to each of us, "Go and do likewise."
The lesson of this part of the parable is plain and unmistakable. The kindness of a Christian towards others should not be in word and in tongue only, but in deed and in truth. His love should be a practical love — a love which entails on him self -sacrifice and self-denial, both in money, and time, and trouble. His charity should be seen not merely in his talking, but his acting not merely in his profession, but in his practice.
The world may not understand such brotherly love, but to show such brotherly love, is to walk in the steps of Christ, and to reduce the parable of the good Samaritan to practice. How few Christians seem to remember that such a parable was ever written! What an enormous amount of stinginess, and selfishness, and suspicion there is to be seen in the Church, even among people who believe the gospel and go to the Lord's table! What are we ourselves? Let us not forget to put that question to our hearts. What are we doing to prove that this mighty parable is one of the rules of our daily life? The world would be a happier world if there was more practical Christianity.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, please give me a passion or others.
Action Plan: What are you going to do today to prove that this mighty parable is one of the rules of your daily life?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
