Good morning, Saints.
Ephesians 5:1, 2
Be ye therefore followers (imitators) of God as dear (beloved) children; And walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering And a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.
Our God is encouraging us to regulate and conduct our lives in love as Christ, who gave all of himself as a sacrifice to God. Jesus Christ, who always did the will of the Father, is our example of what it means to walk in love.
Therefore, let us see a record in the scriptures with which we might pattern our walk to be prepared to love.
In the gospel of Luke chapter 10, Jesus is being tempted or tested by a lawyer as to what he should do to inherit eternal life.
In response, Jesus asked him what the Word says and how does he read it.
The lawyer answers with the truth of the Word, and we have the two great commandments: Love God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your strength, and with all of your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus agreed saying the lawyer should do this and he shall live. Jesus was not critical, only loving and meek.
But, the lawyer was not finished with Him; he needed to justify himself. After all, he was a lawyer and knew the law. Then he asked Jesus who his neighbor is. And we have the story about a certain Samaritan.
Jesus compared the lives of two church leaders with a man who was disparaged by the Jews.
All three of them came upon a man, who was robbed and beaten and left for dead.
(Remember, this is an example of loving your neighbor as yourself).
The certain Samaritan was on a road trip to Jericho from Jerusalem. Jerusalem to Jericho is approximately 15 miles. In Bible times, that was an eight-hour trip. The Samaritan needed to get there before dark for safety’s sake. But, because of his love and compassion, he gave himself as a sacrifice stopping to give aid and emergency care to the man.
Notice in the record how prepared that certain Samaritan was.
He was not rushed to get to Jericho because he had prepared to have more than enough time.
He carried a first aid kit with him and had more than enough skills to nurse the injured.
He had more than enough finances to leave two day’s wages worth of money to the innkeeper for additional care for the wounded man.
Additionally, that certain Samaritan put the man on his own beast and walked to the inn where he left him for more care.
These actions indicate that the Samaritan was well prepared for various situations – plenty of time, plenty of money, plenty of skills, plenty for transportation, and plenty of compassion for his neighbor. That certain Samaritan had more than enough to be prepared to love.
Love and blessings,
Ray Weidenhamer