A Daily Devotional by Bishop David
Lessons from the Samaritans
Wednesday, 4 December
Memory Verse: Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Luke 10:30-37, 17:11-19
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
MORE LESSON: John 4:39-41 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word;
The Samaritans were a racially mixed society with Jewish and pagan ancestry. Among the most significant differences between the Samaritans and the Jews is the site which they believe God chose for His dwelling (John 4:20). While the Jews hold that God chose Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Samaritans believe He chose Mount Gerizim near Shechem, where Joshua led the people of Israel to, after 40 years in the wilderness (Joshua 8:30-35). They claim ancestry from the tribes of Manasseh, Ephraim and Levi and built their own temple which the Jews considered pagan. Being a mix of already spiritually corrupt Israelites and pagan foreigners, Samaritans created a religion for themselves that the Jews considered heresy. The enmity grew, and when Christ came the Jews hated the Samaritans so much that they preferred to cross the Jordan river (longer distance) rather than travel through Samaria.
Jesus went through Samaria in His evangelistic mission (John 4:4), but the Jews avoided contacts with the Samaritans for fear of ritual contamination and did not use vessels or dishes used by the Samaritans who were not allowed into the inner court of the Temple and forbidden to marry them. The Samaritans saw themselves as the true descendants of Israel and preservers of the true religion, while considering the Jerusalem Temple and Levitical priesthood illegitimate. They had their own unique version of the five books written by Moses (the Pentateuch), but rejected the writings of the prophets and Jewish traditions.
However, during the earthly ministry of Jesus and the Early Church era, there are lessons we can learn from their acts.
1. The Good Samaritan – Samaritans were given to hospitality and care. In Luke10:30-37 Jesus told a story of the man attacked by thieves: while a priest and a Levite passed by the wounded and fainting man and did nothing, a Samaritan saw him, and filled with compassion, took him to the hospital and paid the bill. Believers ought to be filled with good works and must be a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7), be zealous of good works (Titus 2:14), be ready for good works (Titus 3:1) and maintain good works (Titus 3:8). Be good to everyone around you: while grace qualifies us for salvation, good works qualify us for eternal rewards (Revelations 20:12-13).
2. The Grateful Samaritan: a grateful man will always be ‘great-full’ without diminishing. The attitude of gratefulness should characterize our lives. In Luke 17:11-19, 10 lepers were healed, but only one, a Samaritan, came back to give thanks and he was totally made whole. Be grateful to God and give thanks in all situations, and to people for showing you any act of kindness. Those who are grateful today are sowing greater seeds for greater harvest tomorrow.
3. The Glad Samaritan: rejoicing is the expression of gladness. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost are marks of believers (Romans 14:17). The gospel of the Kingdom of God brings gladness: the more you share the good news of salvation through Christ the more gladness you bring to such lives. The Samaritan woman by the well gladly received Christ's teaching and took the message to town. Many were saved by her testimony and their encounter with Christ (John 4:39-41). Phillip preached in the city of Samaria with signs and wonders and the whole city received the message of salvation with gladness and rejoicing (Acts 8:8).
Believers should always be full of good works, gratitude, and gladness in serving the Lord.
Prayer/Action
* Ask God for grace to be such a worthy model that God expects you to be in the environment you are found.
TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Thou month of December, from start to finish, you must speak celebration and rejoicing to me continually, in the mighty name of Jesus.
© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved
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