Command 5: Love

Here is Luke 10:25-37 from the New International Version (NIV):

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 denarii 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?"

37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for the powerful lessons in this parable. Thank You for teaching us what it truly means to love our neighbor and to live out Your commandments in practical ways.

Lord, help us to understand and apply the message of the Good Samaritan. Open our eyes to see the needs of those around us, and give us hearts of compassion to respond with love and mercy. Teach us to break down barriers of prejudice, fear, and indifference, and to see every person as our neighbor, worthy of Your love and care.

Father, we confess that there are times when we, like the priest and the Levite, have turned away from opportunities to help others. Forgive us for our selfishness and complacency, and fill us with Your Spirit so that we may "go and do likewise," just as Jesus commanded.

Lord, we ask for Your strength and guidance to live out this calling. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. May our lives reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name.

Thank You for the example of the Good Samaritan, who showed us what it means to love sacrificially and selflessly. May we follow his example and, ultimately, follow the example of Jesus, who gave everything for us.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.