Weekly Reflections
DO WE LIVE THE STORY?
There’s a good chance that many reading this reflection know the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible (Luke 10:25-37). The story is preceded by a question to Jesus: What must I do to inherit eternal life? It is a simple question and Jesus offers a simple and direct answer: Love God and others with everything you have. Jesus constantly calls us to do this.
Then to further demonstrate the type of love God’s people are to have for others, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.
One of the obvious points to the story is that of all the people in the story who might have helped the man who was mugged by the road, the Samaritan was the least likely. But I think there may be a deeper truth to this tale. The man who was helped by the Samaritan was helped because he was in need. The man who received help from the Samaritan didn’t care that he was a Samaritan, only that he was giving help.
Do we judge others by their appearance, background, life history? Do we determine that some are beyond God’s grace and love, and therefore our acceptance and love?
Or do we love others and prove to be neighbor as did the Samaritan? The text says nothing about the Samaritan checking the mugged man’s credentials, lifestyle, background, family pedigree, race, religion, or creed?
The Bible is clear about love! It is to be given to all! The Bible is clear about the Gospel: it is offered for all! The Bible is clear about God’s grace and forgiveness and acceptance: through Jesus’ death and resurrection it is available to all!
Pr. Kevin T. Shively
Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 5.15.2010 04:06 PM
Past Weekly Reflections
GETTING AWAY FROM GOD? - Pastor Kevin Shively - 9.1.2010 09:55 AM
496…496…496……. - Pastor Kevin T. Shively - 6.22.2010 10:37 AM
DO WE LIVE THE STORY? - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 5.15.2010 04:06 PM
PRESENT REALITY AND FUTURE HOPE - Pastor Kevin T. Shively - 4.14.2010 03:56 PM
A WAKE UP CALL - Pastor Kevin T. Shively - 2.22.2010 09:22 AM
WHAT CAN I GIVE __________? - Pastor Kevin Shively - 12.15.2009 07:07 PM
LIVING LOVE… - Pastor Shively - 10.9.2009 02:49 PM
“FEED MY SHEEP” - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 8.27.2009 07:18 PM
JESUS, JUSTICE, JAZZ! - Pastor Kevin Shively - 7.27.2009 01:53 PM
A-B-C - Pr. Shively - 6.18.2009 06:54 PM
WHEN? - Pastor Kevin Shively - 4.30.2009 01:06 PM
FOOLS FOR GOD - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 4.3.2009 08:30 AM
Why Put Off Until Tomorrow… - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 3.25.2009 08:17 AM
WHEN YOU… - Rastor Shively - 2.28.2009 08:24 PM
WSIDAAFOJ? - Pastor Shively - 1.26.2009 03:48 PM
DO WE LIVE THE STORY?
There’s a good chance that many reading this reflection know the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible (Luke 10:25-37). The story is preceded by a question to Jesus: What must I do to inherit eternal life? It is a simple question and Jesus offers a simple and direct answer: Love God and others with everything you have. Jesus constantly calls us to do this.
Then to further demonstrate the type of love God’s people are to have for others, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.
One of the obvious points to the story is that of all the people in the story who might have helped the man who was mugged by the road, the Samaritan was the least likely. But I think there may be a deeper truth to this tale. The man who was helped by the Samaritan was helped because he was in need. The man who received help from the Samaritan didn’t care that he was a Samaritan, only that he was giving help.
Do we judge others by their appearance, background, life history? Do we determine that some are beyond God’s grace and love, and therefore our acceptance and love?
Or do we love others and prove to be neighbor as did the Samaritan? The text says nothing about the Samaritan checking the mugged man’s credentials, lifestyle, background, family pedigree, race, religion, or creed?
The Bible is clear about love! It is to be given to all! The Bible is clear about the Gospel: it is offered for all! The Bible is clear about God’s grace and forgiveness and acceptance: through Jesus’ death and resurrection it is available to all!
Pr. Kevin T. Shively
Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 5.15.2010 04:06 PM
Past Weekly Reflections
GETTING AWAY FROM GOD? - Pastor Kevin Shively - 9.1.2010 09:55 AM
496…496…496……. - Pastor Kevin T. Shively - 6.22.2010 10:37 AM
DO WE LIVE THE STORY? - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 5.15.2010 04:06 PM
PRESENT REALITY AND FUTURE HOPE - Pastor Kevin T. Shively - 4.14.2010 03:56 PM
A WAKE UP CALL - Pastor Kevin T. Shively - 2.22.2010 09:22 AM
WHAT CAN I GIVE __________? - Pastor Kevin Shively - 12.15.2009 07:07 PM
LIVING LOVE… - Pastor Shively - 10.9.2009 02:49 PM
“FEED MY SHEEP” - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 8.27.2009 07:18 PM
JESUS, JUSTICE, JAZZ! - Pastor Kevin Shively - 7.27.2009 01:53 PM
A-B-C - Pr. Shively - 6.18.2009 06:54 PM
WHEN? - Pastor Kevin Shively - 4.30.2009 01:06 PM
FOOLS FOR GOD - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 4.3.2009 08:30 AM
Why Put Off Until Tomorrow… - Pr. Kevin T. Shively - 3.25.2009 08:17 AM
WHEN YOU… - Rastor Shively - 2.28.2009 08:24 PM
WSIDAAFOJ? - Pastor Shively - 1.26.2009 03:48 PM