Boyd's Commentary. R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
His love for His them by sending His own Son, Jesus Christ to redeem human beings from sin. Jesus’ actions on the cross was the supreme act and expression of God’s great love. As Christians we are called to demonstrate this type of love to others as well. We are called to love those who would use us for their own advantage. We cannot love only those who love us. We must love those who stand in oppositions to our efforts to bring about God’s righteousness and will in the world.
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
How do we overcome self-interest so we can love our enemies?
Jesus was attempting to get His listeners to drop self-interest, self-protection, and self-preservation for a larger principle, that principle being love. Losing self-interest is as difficult as getting lost in love. While getting lost in love is not as simple as it appears, it is not as difficult as we often make it to be.
The key is a level of discipline that one’s principles will not waver from. It requires uncompromising integrity. Loving one’s enemies is not an esoteric or unattainable level of perfection. It is rooted in the real desire to do what is right. Jesus asks no more or less from His followers. Do right and do what is expected from you without reacting to what is done to you. Jesus taught that we have the ability to control what we do, not what happens to us or what others do. But we choose each moment, each day, and under every circumstance whether we will react or will predetermine what action will we take. Love chooses on the front end to do what is right, not what may be convenient. That is to say, love takes the initiative to set things on their proper course.
HOME DAILY DEVOTIONAL READINGS
OCTOBER 12–18, 2020
| LESSON 7 | OCTOBER 18, 2020 |
| LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR | |
| TOPIC:MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS | BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE:LEVITICUS 19:18, 34; LUKE 10:25–37 |
LUKE 10:25–37
| King James Version | New Revised Standard Version |
| AND, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? | JUST then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” |
| 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? | 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” |
| 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. | 27 He answered, “You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.” |
| 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. | 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” |
| 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? | 29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” |
| 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. | 30 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. |
| 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. | 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. |
| 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. | 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. |
| 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, | 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. |
| 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. | 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. |
| 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. | 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ |
| 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? | 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” |
| 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. | 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” |
MAIN THOUGHT: Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:36–37, KJV)
LESSON SETTING
Time: A.D. 27
Place: Galilee
LESSON OUTLINE