The gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the perfect man, busy doing His Father’s business. He is teaching, healing and refuting lies. I am studying the gospel of Luke in my daily devotions and recently realized how Luke links the teachings of Jesus and happenings together

Look at this example in Luke 10:²⁵And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

²⁶He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

²⁷And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

²⁸And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Notice the lawyer wanted to tempt Jesus. What do you think was his motive? What do you think he wanted to tempt Jesus to do?

Notice the lawyer asked how he could inherit not merit eternal life. What does that mean to you?

The law refers to an attitude: loving God with our whole being; loving others as we love ourselves. Yet we each have a sinful, rebellious nature that conflicts with that attitude. How often do you and I follow our own desires and wants rather than surrendering to what God wants? How much easier is it to do what we want than to surrender to what God wants?

Jesus said the lawyer gave the right answer from the law. Then Jesus gave an instruction: this do.

²⁹But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

³⁰And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

³¹And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

³²And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

³³But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

³⁴And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

³⁵And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

³⁶Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

³⁷And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Priest = male descendant of Aaron with responsibilities in the temple and synagogues

Levite =male of the tribe of Levi, initially a bearer and guardian of the sacred things

Samaritan =2 Kings 17:²⁴And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

Mercy = not giving what judgment requires

Jesus gave another instruction: show mercy on your neighbor.

Why do you think the lawyer used the word ‘mercy’ rather than ‘compassion’ or ‘kindness’?

How easy is it for you and me to show mercy rather than judgment to others?

What surprises me is that Luke immediately describes the solution to our problem of inability to follow the law.

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

What did Mary choose?

Paul explained the purpose of the law

Galatians 3:¹⁹ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

²⁰Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

²¹Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

²²But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

²³But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

²⁴Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

²⁵But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

²⁶For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

I need Jesus – George Webster

I need Jesus: my need I now confess, No Friend like Him in times of deep distress;

I need Jesus: the need I gladly own, though some may bear the load alone,

Yet I need Jesus!

Chorus

I need Jesus (with me); I need Jesus (always); I need Jesus every day;

Need Him in the sunshine hour; need Him when the storm clouds roll;

Everyday along my way. Yes, I need Jesus.

I need Jesus: I need a Friend like Him. A Friend to guide when paths of life are dim.

I need Jesus: when foes my soul assail; alone I know I can but fail,

So I need Jesus!

I need Jesus: I need Him to the end; No one like Him, He is the sinners’ Friend;

I need Jesus: no other friend will do; So constant, kind, so strong and true,

Yes, I need Jesus!

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti