A lawyer came to Jesus and tested him; that was the first mistake, never test Jesus, you only get caught; but again, that is what we need to do. He said, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” (Luke 10:25-26, NKJV).
So, he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly, do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:27-29, NKJV).
Jesus told the lawyer a story; a man was on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho and was overtaken by thieves who stripped him, beat him, and left him half dead. By chance, a priest came down the road and saw him lying in this condition and passed by on the other side. Afterward, a Levite came by and did the very same thing. Finally, a Samaritan came and saw the man and had compassion. He gave him medical attention, transported him to a hotel, and cared for him overnight. The next day he made provision for the man with the hotel lobby, giving money and instructions, and then continued on his journey.
Jesus’ question was, “So which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” (Luke 10:36, NKJV).
The lawyer replied, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37, NKJV).
Self-justification blinds us to love, by fixating our eyes on ourselves. Keeping ourselves holy often keeps us from compassion, thinking we are the right ones, maybe? But, “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13, NKJV). In these last two weeks, my heart has been stirred into submission to Jesus Christ. I bow my knee and find myself confessing His Lordship, His all-sufficiency, and His provision of Himself. Here, I bring myself into His love and forgiveness. I pray here and extend His love and mercy to all.
He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
Jubilee Services Update:
We have celebrated as a body online and onsite for two weeks now! Thank you for giving room for each member to follow the Holy Spirit in worship. I think of Jesus’ words, “The hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father” (John 4:21). I think we are in that hour. Thank God, Jesus told us what was to come. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24, NKJV).
We are opening our Wednesday service to seventy people, with a new time of 6:00 pm, and a new format, Interview to Worship. Join us this Wednesday at 6:00 pm online or onsite. Let the Holy Spirit lead.
