WRKIDZ main point this week is: God Loves Everyone and So Should I. Is it possible, or are we just too selfish in our sinful state?
There was a show in the 90’s that I used to watch called “Friends”. Maybe you have seen it, maybe not. I remember one particular episode where there was a dogmatic dispute between Phoebe and Joey. Joey alleged that there was no such thing as a selfless good deed. Phoebe was intent to prove him wrong. Let me ask you; do we see selfless good deeds happening today? I would have to say rarely, at best. It seems there is almost always an ulterior motive for the ‘nice’ things people do. Joey's point exactly:
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus illustrated that not only is this possible, but it is expected of believers.
- Luke 10: 30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' (NIV- biblegateway.com)
Jesus answer to this man was hard for him to hear for two reasons. For one, Jesus painted the Samaritan in a good light and the religious characters in the story in a negative light. People from Samaria were in effect a Jew's enemy because of both racial and religious tension. But who was it that Jesus was talking to? As a devout Jew this expert in the law would have despised a Samaritan.
The other reason I suspect that it might have been difficult for this man to hear the answer; he himself was looking for justification. He had an 'ulterior motive' in just asking this question. He was looking for Jesus to tell him, “friend, you have arrived!”
Well if you saw the episode of 'Friends', you know how it ended, but scripture paints a different picture for us. Jesus lived his life as a completely selfless act; (a sacrifice) even for those who were self-proclaimed enemies of God. He did it for everyone regardless of race or social status. In turn we are supposed to develop in our faith to the point where we, like Christ become willing to offer our 'time, money and talents' as we selflessly love others.
Food for thought- Look up Agape Love; please post your findings!!
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