Fourth Week of Lent – Friday
April 5, 2019
From Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor
Luke 10:25-37
25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" 27 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." 28 And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Luke’s Gospel is awash in questions. Jesus knows that asking the right question elicits the right answer, surprising as that answer may be to us. Notice the questions in this parable. Write down questions you have for Jesus. Imagine what questions Jesus has for you. How do you respond?
Lord Jesus, you do not force us to do your will. You invite us to come to the right answers through the right questions, through patience, by meeting us where we are and believing we are teachable, transformable, worth your time and care. Thank you for taking the time to hear our questions, tell us stories, call forth holy answers that will change the course of our lives for good. Amen.