Cost of Living - Day 06
Day 06 - Monday, January 15
Read Luke 10:25-37
Highlight
It is likely you have heard the phrase “Good Samaritan.” In our context it is often used to describe a person who generously helps another person. News stories will highlight a good Samaritan in your area, teachers will praise students who are a good Samaritan to their classmates, and there are often times, you act like a good Samaritan without anyone knowing.
Yet, when Jesus was sharing this parable, good and Samaritan were not used in the same sentence. In fact, Samaritans and Jews despised each other. The Samaritans were descendants of Israelites who had intermarried with pagans during the Assyrian exile to preserve their heritage. But between their Old Testament traditions and the pagan traditions they adopted, the Jews saw them as unclean and corrupt. Creating deep tension between the two groups that would eventually cause Jewish people to travel extra miles just to avoid the area in which Samaritans lived.
Which is how we arrive at this parable. Where a man is on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The road he chose to travel was not the quickest or easiest way to arrive at his destination, but it was the most efficient way to bypass Samaria. Then tragedy strikes him. The two religious leaders who were the most likely to help him, ended up ignoring him. And the person he was trying to avoid the most, a Samaritan, is the one to help.
Jesus’ audience would have been shocked, appalled, and confused. We can tell because in verse 37, “The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’” The excerpt in the law could not even say “Samaritan,” he only refers to the man as “the one who showed mercy.” Jesus then commands us to do the same thing. Living a life of extreme generosity is not always monetary, though the Samaritan did do that, but it is also showing mercy to those around you.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Luke 10:25-37
Highlight
It is likely you have heard the phrase “Good Samaritan.” In our context it is often used to describe a person who generously helps another person. News stories will highlight a good Samaritan in your area, teachers will praise students who are a good Samaritan to their classmates, and there are often times, you act like a good Samaritan without anyone knowing.
Yet, when Jesus was sharing this parable, good and Samaritan were not used in the same sentence. In fact, Samaritans and Jews despised each other. The Samaritans were descendants of Israelites who had intermarried with pagans during the Assyrian exile to preserve their heritage. But between their Old Testament traditions and the pagan traditions they adopted, the Jews saw them as unclean and corrupt. Creating deep tension between the two groups that would eventually cause Jewish people to travel extra miles just to avoid the area in which Samaritans lived.
Which is how we arrive at this parable. Where a man is on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The road he chose to travel was not the quickest or easiest way to arrive at his destination, but it was the most efficient way to bypass Samaria. Then tragedy strikes him. The two religious leaders who were the most likely to help him, ended up ignoring him. And the person he was trying to avoid the most, a Samaritan, is the one to help.
Jesus’ audience would have been shocked, appalled, and confused. We can tell because in verse 37, “The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’” The excerpt in the law could not even say “Samaritan,” he only refers to the man as “the one who showed mercy.” Jesus then commands us to do the same thing. Living a life of extreme generosity is not always monetary, though the Samaritan did do that, but it is also showing mercy to those around you.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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