Prayer
Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word. Then, before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 118:28-29
Lord, You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, and I will exalt You.
Lord, You are so good to me
and Your love endures forever. Amen.
Reading
In today’s parable we are confronted with a sobering reality: How we treat those in need is the ultimate revelation of the state of our hearts in relation to Christ and His Kingdom.
Jesus is not suggesting here that we earn our way into his eternal Kingdom by doing good. We know that no one can ever be saved that way. We believe fully that “it is by grace we have been saved, through faith – and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) No human being ever earned their way into the Kingdom of God by good deeds.
However, through this parable Jesus teaches that the state of our hearts will be revealed by the way we respond to those in need. Someone who has truly come into relationship with Jesus and has received His Spirit will begin to feel His heart and think His thoughts towards others. We will begin to see others the way Jesus sees them (as His beloved children) and to desire their highest best, the way Jesus does.
Ultimately, a heart transformed by Jesus and filled with His compassion will not pass by the real human needs of others, but will do whatever we can to meet those needs. We will help in simple ways – with a cup of cold water, a hot meal or a warm blanket (v.42). We will help out of a genuine interest in others and a genuine concern for their wellbeing, inviting them to be part of our lives, getting to know them, and making sure to pray for their needs (v.43).
Wondrously, none of this will seem to be a burden to us when Jesus has truly come to dwell in us by His Spirit. His Spirit within us will change our hearts to want to live this way, and He will give us the discernment and strength to be able to live this way.
So today, let’s open our eyes to the needs around us. Let’s allow Jesus to change our hearts and to fill us with His compassion. Let’s step out by faith and allow Jesus to use us to minister to the needs of others in His power and with His resources. This way we will truly be living His eternal life (v.46) both now and forever!
Contemplation
Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn one or more of these declarations over and over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ:
- I will invite the Spirit to transform my heart to see people with Jesus’ eyes.
- I will follow His prompting and empowering to meet the needs of others with His love.
Spirit of Christ, change my heart and open my eyes to see people the way You do. Inspire and empower me to get out there today and to meet the needs of others in Your power and love. Amen.
Dave's Diary 