"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Friday, April 5, 2024 - Day 96 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Judges 18,19; Luke 10:25-42)
SHOW MERCY
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:28-37 ESV)
In this familiar account Jesus teaches us to be a good neighbor to any one in need, even an enemy. Earlier in Luke’s Gospel Jesus gave us more motivation:
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36 ESV)
We, forgiven sinners, who have received God’s undeserved mercy from the cross of Jesus, now get to share His mercy with others.
To whom can you show mercy today?
1. Lord, whose love in humble service
Bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken,
Worked Your mercy’s perfect deed:
We, Your servants, bring the worship
Not of voice alone, but heart;
Consecrating to Your purpose
Ev’ry gift which You impart.
2. Still Your children wander homeless;
Still the hungry cry for bread;
Still the captives long for freedom;
Still in grief we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion
Healed the sick and freed the soul,
by your Spirit send Your power
To our world to make it whole.
3. As we worship, grant us vision,
Till your love’s revealing light
In its height and depth and greatness
Dawns upon our quickened sight,
Making known the needs and burdens
Your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to ardent service,
Your abundant life to share.
4. Called by worship to Your service
Forth in Your dear name we go,
To the child, the youth, the aged,
Love in living deeds to show;
Hope and health, goodwill and comfort,
Counsel, aid, and peace we give,
That Your servants, Lord in freedom
May Your mercy know and live.
(“Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service,” Lutheran Service Book #848)
Lord God, thank You for mercifully calling me to be one of Your children and for forgiving all of my many sins. Please give me the desire and the opportunity to share Your mercy with people in need. Yes, open my eyes today for those who need Your mercy just as much as I do. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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