SHIFT 08 - Devotional 2: Serve Lovingly

Devotionals

But did you notice what he says about himself as Son of Man in the quote above? Even though he saw himself as the Son of Man, he also saw himself as a servant! Service ? the laying-down-your-life-for-others kind of service ? is what Jesus? ministry was all about. And it should not surprise us that he calls his followers to the same thing. In fact, this is the first part of what it means to be a fisher of people: we must serve them lovingly.

Luke 10:25-37 records a fascinating exchange between Jesus and an ?expert in the law.? This Jewish law expert asked Jesus, ?What must I do to inherit eternal life?? He was probably trying to discredit Jesus.

Obviously, this is not just small talk! The expert has asked a loaded, bodacious question with epic importance. So Jesus takes him to the very heart of religion in his answer. This doesn?t really surprise us; nor, I suspect, did it surprise the legal expert. But Jesus? explanation of his answer (in the form of a story) does surprise us. Let?s take a look at this passage.

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27He answered: " '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, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins 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.'

36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." {Luke 10:25-37 NIV}

TO THINK ABOUT:

  1. According to Jesus, what is the heart of the matter (verses 26-28)?
  2. The legal expert asked a follow-up question (verse 29). According to Luke he was trying to justify himself. How was this was an attempt at self-justification?
  3. Jesus answers him by telling a story about service. What is surprising about this story?
  4. Actually, I would call the Samaritan in Jesus? story an over-the-top servant. Notice that he tells the expert (and us) to ?Go and do likewise.?
  5. Ask yourself what this call to service has to do with your overall relationship with God. In other words, how important is it to serve like the Samaritan?
  6. Now think about what serving like the Samaritan has to do with fishing for others.
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