A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him (Luke 10:31-33).
O Lord God, You, O God are love (1 John 4:8). You created us, in Your image (Genesis 1:27) to love and worship You. Our Lord Jesus reiterated the command You gave us to love You and to love our neighbor:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mathew 22:37-39 - ESV).
Lord, thank You for the ways You instruct us—for the practical examples You give us in applying the commandments and the principles You lay down for us. Help us to learn well. Help us to respond well.
Help us not to overlook or ignore opportunities to love our fellow-travelers—those who journey with us on the same road (Luke 10:31). Help us not to profess faith in name or title, while neglecting service, and ministry, and love in action.
Open our eyes today to the needs of those on our path as we travel the long road together. Stir in us love and compassion, so we are not tempted to pass by on the other side. Give us, like this Samaritan traveler, hearts that see people, not labels, differences, or points of separation. Help us to love [our] "enemies" (Matthew 5: 44).
Give us the willingness to become fully involved and invested. Help us to carry bandages instead of weapons; help us to pour healing instead of hurt. Help us to take the next step—go the extra mile. May our lives bring encouragement, joy, and hope to the weary, the discouraged, the beaten and the overwhelmed on the long road.
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