“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But...the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
NUMBERS 34-36
9Then the Lord said to Moses: 10“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 11select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. 12They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly. 13These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge. 14Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. 15These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there. (35:9-15)
9Then the Lord said to Moses: 10“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 11select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. 12They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly. 13These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge. 14Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. 15These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there. (35:9-15)
MARK 10:32-52
“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
JOURNAL
God is a God of refuge that calls us to serve. Throughout scripture these two themes are consistent. God rescuing those in need as well as calling us to do the same. All of life really can be viewed through the lens of these two themes.
While this can seem simple...however in a world of self-promotion and monetary success...living it is a great challenge. To see greatness measured in how I serve is such a life-giving idea. When I think back on my own life I can recall many situations where I failed in this objective. As a result I see the anxiety and stress of trying to attain levels of superiority rather than the humility of service.
From the prodigal, to the widow, to the samaritan...it is abundantly clear that God calls us to serve with compassion.
God is a God of refuge that calls us to serve. Throughout scripture these two themes are consistent. God rescuing those in need as well as calling us to do the same. All of life really can be viewed through the lens of these two themes.
While this can seem simple...however in a world of self-promotion and monetary success...living it is a great challenge. To see greatness measured in how I serve is such a life-giving idea. When I think back on my own life I can recall many situations where I failed in this objective. As a result I see the anxiety and stress of trying to attain levels of superiority rather than the humility of service.
From the prodigal, to the widow, to the samaritan...it is abundantly clear that God calls us to serve with compassion.
While this can seem simple...however in a world of self-promotion and monetary success...living it is a great challenge. To see greatness measured in how I serve is such a life-giving idea. When I think back on my own life I can recall many situations where I failed in this objective. As a result I see the anxiety and stress of trying to attain levels of superiority rather than the humility of service.
From the prodigal, to the widow, to the samaritan...it is abundantly clear that God calls us to serve with compassion.
11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
ROMANS 6:11-14
No comments:
Post a Comment