Jesus told the story of a man left half dead, having fallen among thieves, who stripped and beat him, Jesus said.

There was no one to help the man until a priest came by; but he saw him and continued on, not caring if the man would die.

After that, another, called a Levite, came upon the site, but he, too, hurried on, with no regard to this man’s plight.

Then came a certain Samaritan, who, despite his journey’s goal, forgot his own plans and took steps to see that this man would be made whole.

He bandaged up the man’s wounds, applying oil and wine–“Every life is important,” he must have thought, “What if it were mine?”

He took the man to an inn and cared for him the rest of the day; the next morning he paid the innkeeper to do so, in order to be on his way.

“If more than that is needed,” he said, “I’ll repay you when I come back.” His compassion was deep, and he needed to see that he’d recovered from the attack.

Jesus finished the story and asked who’d been the man’s neighbor of the three. A lawyer answered, “The one who showed mercy to him”–and, likewise, so should we…

not pass up opportunities to help any who need our care; but instead, on a daily basis, of such times, may we be quickly aware.

(postscript to the above…)

Before Jesus told of this story, the same lawyer had put Him to a test–“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He may have thought that he knew this best.

Jesus pointed him to the Law—to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and then to love your neighbor as yourself—these two, really, are intertwined.

If someone says they love God, whom they’ve not actually seen with their eyes, yet is merciless or hates his brother whom he’s seen, the Bible says that he lies.

Jesus emphasized that loving God was the great and foremost command. But, again, He said, that these two laws always go hand in hand.

By this, Jesus taught of God’s perfect plan–
Love God and love your fellow man.

But there’s only been one who has ever fulfilled God’s laws in a perfect way–Jesus Christ, Himself, who has been our example, Teacher, Savior and Lord, from then until this present day.

P. A. Oltrogge

1 John 4:20, 21 “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”

Matthew 22:37-40 “And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.’”

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”

From Luke 10:25-37
From John 13:13-15

opportunities to minister
through appropriately named: www.samaritanspurse.org

The following was received yesterday from Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse:

Dear Friend:

Today I was in Jerusalem to dedicate 14 new ambulances to the glory of Almighty God and for the use of Magen David Adom, the emergency medical services organization for Israel. Magen David Adom has lost 19 of its personnel since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and we honored the fallen in a ceremony attended by hundreds, including the mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion.

When I heard that Hamas terrorists destroyed 14 of Israel’s ambulances on Oct. 7, I immediately told our Samaritan’s Purse team that we would replace every one that was lost. The mostly volunteer force of Magen David Adom put themselves at great risk to help others. I felt we needed to support them in any way we can.

The father of one brave soldier and Magen David Adom member killed in this war spoke today. He said his daughter, Lior, had a big heart, full of compassion. “Every time an ambulance goes on a mission, it will be like Lior and her friends are still helping and saving lives,” he said. “These ambulances will save many lives and will be a living memory of our fallen loved ones.”

We will also be providing seven additional ambulances, which will have armor plating, to Magen David Adom and setting up new emergency response stations in communities at risk. This supports what Samaritan’s Purse has already been doing in Israel, including providing food, medical trauma kits, and children’s gift boxes. We pray that these vehicles will bring comfort to the people of Israel. Pray also for our teams and partners who continue to provide relief to those in need. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 
“May they prosper who love you.” 
Psalm 122:6