Jan 22 2025 42 mins 1
Connecting the Dots // The Second Most Important Thing to Do
Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV)
The Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Luke 10:29-37 (NIV)
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 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. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’”
Choices we can make when given the opportunity to love others.
1. Avoid them.
Luke 10:31 (NIV)
“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he
passed by on the other side.”
2. We are curious but not concerned.
Luke 10:32 (NLT)
“A Temple assistant (Levite) walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.”
3. Treat others the way you would want them to treat you.
Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up
the Law and the Prophets.”
Luke 10:33 (NLT)
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.”
How can you grow in loving those around you?
- Be mindful of the needs of others.
Luke 10:33 (NLT)
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.”
2. Put yourself in their shoes.
Luke 10:33 (NIV)
“…when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
3. When you have an opportunity to show kindness, do it.
Luke 10:34-35 (NLT)
“Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’”
Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
