getting out the word

the fifth sunday after pentecost

the PRAYER …

O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, and turn our hearts to love our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

the READING …

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 ….” luke 10:25-37

the DEVOTION …

“A priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan are walking down the road ….” Frankly, sounds like the start of a bad joke. And the punchline’s not much better. “Two passed by on the other side, but the Samaritan was moved with pity.” It would, however, make a pretty good fable. Like the boy who cried wolf. Or the tortoise and the hare. Moral of the story: “Go and do likewise!” But we have to remember …

The passage begins with a question. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s why Jesus tells the parable. And when he’s done, we figure we have two options. We can do what the priest and Levite did. Or we can do what the Samaritan does. Truth is, there’s a third option. We can follow the example of the man who fell into the hands of robbers! Stripped! Beaten! Left for dead! What did he do? To inherit life? Nothing! Nothing, at all!

You see, eternal life – like ordinary, everyday life – isn’t a choice. And it’s not the result of anything we say or do. Eternal life’s a gift! Unearned! Undeserved! Pressed down! Shaken together! Overflowing! Dropped by god right into our lap! By god who – like the Samaritan – is inspired, moved, solely by compassion! What must I do? What must any of us do? That’s not how this works!

Midland Lutheran Church
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