One one occasion, the senior pastor of a large church stood among the leaders in a specially called meeting and asked Jesus - “what must one do to inherit eternal life”.
Jesus answered, you know the scripture – what does the bible say. The senior pastor replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”
“You have answered correctly”, Jesus said. “Go and do likewise and you will live”
But, wishing to drive his point home and prepare for this weeks sermon, the senior pastor pressed the question. “Then Jesus, tell me, who is my neighbor”?
Jesus replied. There was a certain man that had beaten down by life. His family had left him, he resorted to alcohol, pornography and drugs. His life was in shambles. Yet something kept him returning to church. Each time the church met, he would come in late, sit at the back and stare into the distance. Many times, he would exit the auditorium, especially during a passionate song and just sit in the foyer asking himself, does anyone even care.
An elder would come into the foyer and, seeing him sitting by himself asked “How are you today”? After receiving the expected response of “Fine, just fine”, he would walk away saying “Now there's a good man” and proceed to check on those that were counting the contribution.
A deacon would show up in that same foyer, and knowing the individual personally, and knowing the mess he made of his life would say to himself, “I can't believe he still shows up after what he did to his family and friends. I need to tell Sally that he's at it again. Boy, what a loser.”
But a sinner in the midst saw him and loved him. He came along side of him and asked “How can I help?” He stayed with him and fed him and promised to come by and check on him. He ministered to him on a daily basis showing the love of the Father in everything he did, provided him with everything he needed to show him someone cared.
Which of these 3 do you believe showed the love of the Father by showing mercy to his neighbor?
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