Day 298 – Luke 10

Talking Points

• The parable of the Good Samaritan may be one of the most contemplated in Scripture. Many points with many applications have been pulled from its frequent retelling. In it, we clearly find several truths.
  – Jesus loves, and He expects the same gracious expression from His followers.
  – Religious status and duty do nothing to change hearts.
  – Pride in nationality is no excuse for the mistreatment of others.
  What might be hidden among the many layers of meaning is the hard heart of the questioner, whose sharp response brought on the parable to begin with. When he was told of God’s commandment to love God and love his neighbor, he curtly asks, “Well, who is my neighbor?” As believers who deeply love God, may the parable serve to push us to ask instead, “Who isn’t my neighbor?”.
• Jesus traveled to Bethany to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. While Mary sat at His feet, learning from Him, her sister Martha busied herself with hosting. After listening to her complain, Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing. Today, may we slow down long enough to sit at His feet and learn from Him. It is the better thing.

Thoughts

God’s plan (which makes it a perfect and wise plan) is for the world to hear the good news of Jesus Christ through committed, faithful laborers. Throughout time, He has used people to go and tell others so they would believe. He has a message of the utmost importance, there is a “plentiful harvest,” and He sends the “laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2).

Be sure — today, we are not broadcasting religious rhetoric, self-help strategies, or positive thoughts. No, we are proclaiming Jesus! Our message has the potential for the changing of eternities!

What a terribly exciting and likewise frightening thing! What are we to do with the urgency, complexity, and importance of this command and privilege?

First, we are to be completely convinced that our mission of proclaiming this message is worthy of supreme effort. “The kingdom of God has come near…” (10:9) — what greater news could we possibly carry?

Then, we are to take Jesus’ wise advice and, seeing that “the laborers are few…beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers” (10:2). To “beseech” means to recognize our need, to desire it, and to beg in prayer. Not only will we have to look to Him for our own sustenance in our mission, but we will have to look to Him to provide others to come alongside us and labor in the Master’s fields. As with everything else, our reliance will be in Him, alone. Just as it should be.