According to Scripture, to genuinely love Jesus is to keep His commandments—loving God wholeheartedly and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves (John 14:21; Matthew 22:36–40). Everything written in the Law and by the prophets reinforces this requirement of God and His love. We are stewards of God’s love, and it is important that we represent Him correctly.
In the Gospel of Luke, while Jesus is teaching about love, a religious leader stands up and asks how to inherit eternal life. Jesus Christ answers the man’s question with another question, asking what he understands from the Law. The man cites the commandment to love God and love one’s neighbor (Luke 10:27). Jesus responds, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live” (Luke 10:28).
But that answer is not enough for the man. Wanting further clarification, he asks, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). Jesus then tells the well-known story of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
If we know the lesson of the Good Samaritan, we understand that it required mercy, grace, and love to care for the wounded Jewish stranger. The Jews despised the Samaritans, yet in Jesus’ story the Samaritan was the only one who truly fulfilled the Law by showing compassion.
If we are going to steward God’s love, we must move beyond the feelings and desires of our flesh. In fact, we need supernatural power to accomplish what Jesus expects, because nothing in our natural nature wants to love others the way Jesus loves us. But God has promised to make His power available when we make His love a priority.
In our passage today, we are reminded that we can do whatever God calls us to do. If God authors it in us, He will also fulfill it through us.
Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible): “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the lesson today about Your commandments and the example Jesus gives in the Good Samaritan. Help us to extend the mercy, grace, and love You require. Empower us by Your Spirit to love others the way You have loved us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.