Bible Pathways Daily Bible Reading Devotional

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Bible Pathways 10/25/2003


October 25

Read Luke 10 -- 11

In Today's Reading:

Seventy sent out; Good Samaritan; Martha and Mary; teaching on prayer; Pharisees denounced

A scribe who was an official interpreter of both the Mosaic Law and the traditions of the elders, stood up, and tempted (tested) Him (Jesus), saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 10:25). Jesus replied to him: What is written in the Law? He answered: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. And Jesus said to him: You have answered right: this do, and you shall live. But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? (10:26-29; also Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18).

Jesus illustrated the answer by saying: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his raiment (clothing), and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him . . . and bound up his wounds . . . and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. . . . Which now of these three . . . was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him Then Jesus said to him, Go, and do . . . likewise (Luke 10:30-37).

My neighbor is anyone who needs my compassion and whom I have the opportunity and ability to help. It does not matter what his position, race, or religion may be. We are simply to enter into the feelings of another's sufferings or misfortunes as God has done for us (Hebrews 4:15). Whatever is mine actually belongs to God and whatever belongs to God should be shared with my neighbor because my neighbor was also created by and in the image of God.

All of us need to be reminded of our Lord's answer to the lawyer's question. What must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus caused him to recognize that the evidence of eternal life within us is a desire to obey God's Word. Jesus said: A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to (for) another (John 13:34-35).

Word Studies:

10:40 cumbered about = busy, burdened with; 10:41 careful = concerned; 11:8 importunity = persistence; 11:39 ravening = robbery, plundering, viciousness, covetousness; 11:46 lade = intolerable; 11:53 vehemently = angrily.

Cross References:

For Luke 10:27: See Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5. Luke 10:28: See Leviticus 18:5.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Precept Ministries and Kay Arthur, Executive Vice President · Country: Zaire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (38 million) in south-central Africa · Major languages: French and Lingala · Limited religious freedom · 42% Roman Catholic; 28% Protestant; 12% magical practices, ancestor worship, and witchcraft; 1% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord (Exodus 15:1-19).

Memory Verse for the Week: II Corinthians 9:8



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