Luke 10 25 On 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?”27 He 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.”29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denariiand 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?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
This is the famous Good Samaritan story! Today it is speaking into my life a little differently. Today is the eve of thanksgiving and I am feeling a little like the guy that got taken out by bandits. I feel a little broken and a little vulnerable. My heart is in need of mercy. So I think today I find myself very very thankful that I have received mercy and continue to receive mercy from the goodest of all Good Samaritans. My Jesus has been merciful to me - and I find myself filled with heartfelt gratitude.
I once heard a definition of mercy as "not getting what we do deserve" and grace as "getting what we don't deserve". We are going to spend a great deal of time with family over the next several days. We are in the midst of getting ready - cleaning house - doing the yard! I won't get done - I never do. I don't deserve all the joy and life that will be buzzing in the house but I will receive it because my God is merciful to me and I am thankful!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving! Enjoy it beyond expectation! Give thanks for your God who has been so Good even to the point of tending to your deepest wounds when you have been thrown into the gutters of life! He is a Good God - receive His Mercy well!
Thank you Jesus!
delton