Podcasts about Levite

Christ, Our First Neighbor: The Call to Go and Do Likewise The Homily initially reflects on a personal experience during a visa interview . . . . . . where the identity as a priest was questioned, drawing a parallel to the Gospel account in which a lawyer tests Jesus' identity and authority. Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan, shifting the focus from the legalistic question “Who is my neighbor?” to the deeper reality that Christ Himself has become a neighbor to humanity. In the parable, the journey from Jerusalem (symbolizing a movement away from God) represents humanity's fall, with the wounded man symbolizing sinful, broken people. The priest and Levite, themselves on a path away from God, are unable to help. It is the Good Samaritan . . . symbolizing Jesus . . . who shows compassion, heals, and restores the wounded man, a clear symbol for Christ's saving work through the sacraments and His incarnation. Christ has Made Himself Our Neighbor The key message: because Christ has made Himself our neighbor through love, compassion, and sacrifice, we are now commissioned to become neighbors to others . . . especially those in need, those who mourn, and those seeking forgiveness or assistance. Our ability to love others flows from having first received Christ's love ourselves. Listen more to: Christ, Our First Neighbor: The Call to Go and Do Likewise ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Good Samaritan: Dutch Painter: Rembrandt: 1630 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 25-37 First Reading: Deuteronomy 30: 10-14 Second Reading: Colossians 1: 15-20

Luke 10:25-37There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?How do you read it?"He said in reply,"You shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart,with all your being,with all your strength,and with all your mind,and your neighbor as yourself."He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;do this and you will live."But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,"And who is my neighbor?"Jesus replied,"A man fell victim to robbersas he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.A priest happened to be going down that road,but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.Likewise a Levite came to the place,and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.But a Samaritan traveler who came upon himwas moved with compassion at the sight.He approached the victim,poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.Then he lifted him up on his own animal,took him to an inn, and cared for him.The next day he took out two silver coinsand gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,'Take care of him.If you spend more than what I have given you,I shall repay you on my way back.'Which of these three, in your opinion,was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:25-37There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?How do you read it?"He said in reply,"You shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart,with all your being,with all your strength,and with all your mind,and your neighbor as yourself."He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;do this and you will live."But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,"And who is my neighbor?"Jesus replied,"A man fell victim to robbersas he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.A priest happened to be going down that road,but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.Likewise a Levite came to the place,and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.But a Samaritan traveler who came upon himwas moved with compassion at the sight.He approached the victim,poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.Then he lifted him up on his own animal,took him to an inn, and cared for him.The next day he took out two silver coinsand gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,'Take care of him.If you spend more than what I have given you,I shall repay you on my way back.'Which of these three, in your opinion,was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:25-37There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?How do you read it?"He said in reply,"You shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart,with all your being,with all your strength,and with all your mind,and your neighbor as yourself."He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;do this and you will live."But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,"And who is my neighbor?"Jesus replied,"A man fell victim to robbersas he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.A priest happened to be going down that road,but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.Likewise a Levite came to the place,and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.But a Samaritan traveler who came upon himwas moved with compassion at the sight.He approached the victim,poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.Then he lifted him up on his own animal,took him to an inn, and cared for him.The next day he took out two silver coinsand gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,'Take care of him.If you spend more than what I have given you,I shall repay you on my way back.'Which of these three, in your opinion,was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

If I were a betting person....I would wager a large amount of money that the sermons considered at the end of this past week, are not the sermons considered at the beginning of this past week.  Nine preachers out of ten, I'd wager, would have preached this week's parable of the Good Samaritan as a morality tale. And, frankly, I think that's just fine. It does, after all, reflect a profound example of how we are to treat each other, regarding a “neighbor” not merely as someone who is close to us or looks like us or believes like us, but rather anyone who is in need. Given the political and cultural tone of society, and human inclination to perceive anyone different as something of a threat, even at the beginning of the week, it would have been a good message to preach and to hear... But this is not the sermon I was working on earlier in the week...because I am called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ...and speak truth to the reality of the world in which we live… which frankly, the best, most generous description I can come up with for the world these days is troubled.  This sermon may be uncomfortable to hear...it's uncomfortable to preach...but Jesus did not die so that we might be comfortable...Jesus died so that we might have abundant life, that we might learn to love the Lord our God and our neighbor, that we might know what it truly means to show mercy to another child of God...that we might be willing to get down and dirty in the ditch, like the Samaritan,  and share that abundant life... The end of the gospel reading is key... 'Go and do likewise'  the good Samaritan sees the person in the ditch, draws near to him and has compassion for that person...  We could all stand to do the same... and a note here....when I say we, I am not meaning only the people right here in this room, but society in general...so please know that I am not trying to single anyone out, and I am also trying to convict myself as much as anyone else.  We need to see our neighbors much more clearly than ever before...and by neighbor, I mean every single person on this planet...We don't get to pick and chose who our neighbors are, because everyone is... and especially the people you, I, we, are leery of or question if they deserve to be noticed, or the ones you know will cause you a headache if you take the time to acknowledge their presence... Too many men and women in the ditch have died... too many people we have ignored have had their lives tragically cut short...too many people have to worry about what will happen to them because of the color of their skin, or the gender of the people they love...too many police officers, and other emergency personnel have to wonder if they are going to make it home because of their job.  As much as I would like to imagine myself as the good Samaritan or a few times I feel like even the person in the ditch, far, far, far too easily I comfortably take on the roll of the priest or the Levite.   I wonder how many times I have looked into that ditch, saw a person lying there, and chose to keep right on going...far too many times to count if I am honest...and I would wager the same for all of you. For you see, that is part of our privilege...we can ignore whatever is lying in the ditch because like the priest and the Levite, if we help, we will not be able to do what we planned...or we will be late for our job, or we don't have the skills to help or we think someone else will be along soon to help...or it's simply not our problem, and we shouldn't get involved. All of that may be true, but it is my supposition that when we ignore that person in the ditch, we are ignoring our brother or sister...when we ignore that person in the ditch, we are saying whatever happened to them is tragic, and perhaps even wrong, but there is nothing we can do about it.  When we ignore that person in the ditch we avoid being vulnerable to being hurt ourselves...because often times that pain and anguish is simply overwhelming...and perhaps that's the key...the priest and the Levite, ignored the man in the ditch because ultimately, they didn't want to deal with the turmoil of emotions and life going on within themselves...  and look where that has gotten us...It seems more and more the news is filled with tragic, horrific events...Ones that make me heartsick...and ones that will all too soon be forgotten by most of us, until the next tragic event.... How many people do we have to see, and ignore, and keep walking by until we are stuck by so much mercy and justice and compassion that we truly fill the role we have imagined ourselves in all this time...  How much longer will we spend trying to point fingers, trying to blame others, until we catch a glimpse in the water in the ditch and see ourselves reflected in the tears and pain of our neighbor, and decide enough is enough.  If this perpetual cycle of violence, racism and hatred is to ever end, we must begin to be the ones who show mercy, who show love, who live in to the title of Christian we all claim...it's time to roll up our sleeves and get in the ditch.  It's time to go and go likewise... I know it's overwhelming....I know it's painful...I know we all think that someone else will do a better job...I know none of us want to put ourselves out there in a way that opens us up to being hurt...but what is happening in this country and this world simply can't continue...  Jesus chose an outcast in society, a Samaritan, to make his point and teach the lawyer...  Surely Jesus can do something good Samaritan like through you and me....  and so if you have made it this far, and are still trying to listen with an open heart, perhaps you are thinking What Now?  How do I make a difference?  Where do even begin?  It can begin with trying to see things a different way...since part of this story is all about race…a Samaritan, a Levite, and a priest, all of whom did not mix for fear of many things…perhaps acknowledging BlackLivesMatter has a point...  Yes, I know, ALL lives matter...and we ALL are children of Gods..., but our black/brown siblings have had and continue to have a much rougher path in a whole host of ways than our white siblings... and racism and privilege are still very much alive and well today, as much as we wish they weren't.  We are not that many generations removed from a whole host of brothers and sisters being considered 3/5 of a person...The Klan is still operating under the guise of being a Christian organization...because of my white skin, my parents never had to have a conversation with me about the extra specifics of how I should act if I am pulled over by police.  These ditches need to be acknowledged, to be talked about, and not ignored.  and on the flip side of the same hand, we need to acknowledge that the vast majority of police officers go to work each day solely to serve and protect the communities in which they are assigned.  They want to help people, bring justice to the oppressed, protect the vulnerable, promote peace, keep us all safe and generally make life more livable.  Police are not out to get us or anyone, and simply want to return to their families safe and sound after their shift.  Beyond seeing things a different way, it's the simple interactions we have with people that make all the difference.  Say thank you to the police, even if they are writing you a ticket for something.  Treat them with respect, notice and acknowledge they are children of god, our brothers and sisters.    When I went on a ride along with the Detroit Police Department while in seminary....an officer had been shot the night before in same area I had the ride along...beyond several high speed chases and one arrest, the most memorable part of that night was the number of people that flagged down the car and inquired about the officer, offering thoughts and prayers and reminding the officers I was with to be safe as well... God often shows up where we least expect God to be. No one would have ever predicted God's glory to be shown in a man on a cross or an outcast walking down a road.  No one imagines the power of God being revealed through vulnerability, and craziness...  But that is exactly what happened... And so God through Jesus is revealed in the actions of a Samaritan in a ditch with a person others saw and walked by.  And so too, God, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, can be revealed in the actions of ordinary, overwhelmed, tired of the world, you and me...   We simply have to take a step toward that ditch, to show a glimpse of love, kindness and mercy towards our brothers and sisters in the midst of hate, destruction and fear... It is risky, and scary, and a lot of hard work, no doubt, but God is right here with us, practically begging us to not only notice, but not ignore our neighbor... This was the case 2000 years ago with a lawyer and a story about a man in a ditch, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan.  Seems to me it is the case today as well...with you and me...God can and will do great things with our inadequate words and actions...with our acknowledgement of broken systems, with our unwillingness to let violence be our legacy and with each and every step, no matter how small, we take toward the ditch of our broken neighbors.  Do this and we will live.  Sin, brokenness, and hatred will not have the final word.  God's love, mercy and justice will prevail. Amen

A sermon for Proper 10, July 13, 2025. Luke 10:25-37 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)The Parable of the Good Samaritan25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

On this episode of The Localist, Carrie talks with Brooke Bowles, CEO of the Levite Jewish Community Center (JCC), about what makes the JCC more than just a fitness center. Brooke shares how the J fosters connection across cultures and ages, from preschoolers to long-time legacy members, and how its Jewish values shape its inclusive, mission-driven programs. Mentioned in this episode: Levite Jewish Community Center The JCC on Instagram Infomedia The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal Morgan Johnston on the Localist Duquette Johnston on the Localist Swim School I3 Academy Girls Inc. United Way Glenwood United Ability Full Circle BHM The J'la Gala  

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit In this powerful message from our ongoing series in the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Benjer McVeigh leads us through one of the most familiar — and dangerously misunderstood — teachings of Jesus: the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). But before we tune out with a “been there, heard that” mindset, Benjer challenges us to slow down, lean in, and let the Word do surgery on our souls. What if we've misunderstood this parable all along? What if the point isn't about identifying who our neighbor is — but realizing we are the neighbor God has sent? This message begins by confronting the deceptively small definition of “neighbor” held by the expert in the law, a man who — like many of us — sought to justify himself by asking Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” But Jesus doesn't answer with a list of who qualifies. Instead, He flips the lawyer's question on its head and tells a story where the most unlikely character — a Samaritan, despised by Jews in that time — becomes the model of true neighborly love. As Benjer unpacks the cultural and religious background of the text, he reveals that the priest and Levite in the story weren't merely callous — they were likely busy with temple duties, constrained by religious expectations. Yet their roles, deeply tied to the law, couldn't produce the compassion needed in the moment. It is the Samaritan — the outsider, the one least expected — who sees, stops, and sacrifices. He is moved by compassion, not convenience. He loves with open hands, at great risk and great cost to himself. And this, Jesus says, is what it means to be a neighbor. The message digs deeper, applying this radical vision of love to our daily lives. Who have we disqualified from being our neighbor? Who have we labeled in such a way that excuses us from loving them? Whether it's someone we disagree with politically, someone whose lifestyle we don't understand, or someone we believe “deserves” the consequences they're facing — we are reminded that the teaching of Jesus leaves no room for exclusion. We don't get to decide who deserves love. We simply get to extend it, because Jesus first loved us. And the message gets personal. Benjer shares how a group of teenagers at church camp, willing to sit under the Word of God with seriousness and humility, stirred his own heart. Their willingness to listen, respond, and be transformed by Scripture became the catalyst for this week's call: to slow down, stop crossing to the other side of the road, and live as the kind of neighbor Jesus modeled. By the end, the parable turns into a mirror. It's not just a story about someone else. It's a story about us. And if we take it seriously — if we dare to pray the dangerous prayer, “God, who are you calling me to be a neighbor to today?” — we might discover that Jesus has already answered. He calls us not to love from a distance or with conditions, but to love incarnationally. To see, to stop, to bind up wounds, to take risks, to pay costs, to walk with the hurting until they heal. This is the call to become a people — and a church — marked by the extravagant compassion of Jesus. A church where no label can override the title “neighbor.” A church that reflects the Good Samaritan who saw us lying in the road, broken and far from hope — and didn't pass by. Instead, He stopped. He loved. And He gave everything.

Reading 1Deuteronomy 30:10-14Moses said to the people:"If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,and keep his commandments and statutesthat are written in this book of the law,when you return to the LORD, your God,with all your heart and all your soul."For this command that I enjoin on you todayis not too mysterious and remote for you.It is not up in the sky, that you should say,'Who will go up in the sky to get it for usand tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,'Who will cross the sea to get it for usand tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'No, it is something very near to you,already in your mouths and in your hearts;you have only to carry it out."Reading 2Colossians 1:15-20Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn of all creation.For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,the visible and the invisible,whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;all things were created through him and for him.He is before all things,and in him all things hold together.He is the head of the body, the church.He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,that in all things he himself might be preeminent.For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,and through him to reconcile all things for him,making peace by the blood of his crossthrough him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.GospelLuke 10:25-37There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?How do you read it?"He said in reply,"You shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart,with all your being,with all your strength,and with all your mind,and your neighbor as yourself."He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;do this and you will live."But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,"And who is my neighbor?"Jesus replied,"A man fell victim to robbersas he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.A priest happened to be going down that road,but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.Likewise a Levite came to the place,and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.But a Samaritan traveler who came upon himwas moved with compassion at the sight.He approached the victim,poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.Then he lifted him up on his own animal,took him to an inn, and cared for him.The next day he took out two silver coinsand gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,'Take care of him.If you spend more than what I have given you,I shall repay you on my way back.'Which of these three, in your opinion,was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Homily by Father Peter Zwaans Mount Gambier Catholic Parish Gospel: Luke 10:25-37There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?' He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.' ‘You have answered right,' said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.' But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?' Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii andhanded them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?' ‘The one who took pity on him' he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.'The Gospel of the Lord.R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:25-37   Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?How do you read it?"He said in reply,"You shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart,with all your being,with all your strength,and with all your mind,and your neighbor as yourself."He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;do this and you will live."But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,"And who is my neighbor?"Jesus replied,"A man fell victim to robbersas he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.A priest happened to be going down that road,but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.Likewise a Levite came to the place,and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.But a Samaritan traveler who came upon himwas moved with compassion at the sight.He approached the victim,poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.Then he lifted him up on his own animal,took him to an inn, and cared for him.The next day he took out two silver coinsand gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,'Take care of him.If you spend more than what I have given you,I shall repay you on my way back.'Which of these three, in your opinion,was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Like the priest and the Levite we can find laws and good reasons to treat one another bad badly and not show compassion and mercy. Jesus calls us to not miss the forest because of the trees. Our laws are meant to help us live together in a loving community. It's helpful to look at those we see as our enemies, or the ones deserving mistreatment, and realize that if not for the grace of God there too go I. 

25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”   29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Old Testament Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Moses said to the people of Israel, "The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. "Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?' No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe." The Psalm Psalm 25:1-9 Ad te, Domine, levavi 1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; * let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; * let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. 3 Show me your ways, O Lord, * and teach me your paths. 4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, * for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. 5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, * for they are from everlasting. 6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; * remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. 7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; * therefore he teaches sinners in his way. 8 He guides the humble in doing right * and teaches his way to the lowly. 9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness * to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. The Epistle Colossians 1:1-14 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Gospel Luke 10:25-37 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."  

+ Holy Gospel according to Luke 10: 25-37A doctor of the Law stood up and asked him to test him, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"Jesus asked him in turn, "What is written in the Law? What do you read in it?"He answered him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your spirit, and your neighbour as yourself.""You have answered exactly," Jesus said to him; "so do, and you will attain life."But the doctor of the Law, to justify his intervention, asked him this question, "And who is my neighbour?"Jesus said to him, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him of everything, wounded him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road: he saw him and passed by. A Levite also passed by: he saw him and went on his way. But a Samaritan, as he passed by, saw him and was moved with pity. Then he came and dressed his wounds, covering them with oil and wine; then he put him on his own saddle, led him to an inn and took care of him. The next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, "Take care of him, and whatever you spend extra, I will pay you back when I return."Which of the three do you think behaved as a neighbour to the man assaulted by the robbers?""The one who had compassion on him," the doctor answered him. And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."The Gospel of the Lord.

Read Online“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27A scribe asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked the scribe what the Law of Moses taught. The above line was the scribe's response. He was essentially quoting Deuteronomy 6:4, which was a common prayer prayed by the Jews and seen as a summary of the entire Law of Moses as found in the Ten Commandments.Notice that this summary of the Law does not present a negative prohibition such as “Thou shalt not…” Instead, it is a positive command stating, “Thou shalt love…” Love is the fulfillment of the Law of the Old Testament, as well as the fulfillment of the New Law of Christ. When we love God with our whole being, that love overflows upon all of God's creatures, including our neighbor.In this Gospel, the scribe goes on to ask Jesus who His neighbor is. Jesus responds by telling the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In that parable, there was a man beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite passed by and ignored the man. But a Samaritan passed by and took care of the man, bringing him to an inn and vowing to pay for his recovery. The story concludes by the Samaritan being identified as the one who acted as a neighbor to the victim.Traditionally, the victim of the robbers in this story has been seen as Adam. Adam represents fallen humanity. The Samaritan represents Jesus who cared for fallen humanity, healed us of sin and provided for our every need. Therefore, according to this parable, Jesus has acted as a neighbor to us, and we must love Him as we love ourselves. But Jesus also says, “Go and do likewise.” This is a commission to fallen humanity, now healed of sin, to go forth to others, acting as Jesus Himself, bringing the healing grace they have been given and bestowing it upon others generously.Sometimes we can see love as a feeling or emotion. Though love is often accompanied by certain emotions and feelings, love is much more. It is an action. In this parable, if the Samaritan simply looked upon the victim and felt sorry for him, had compassion for him but then moved on, he would not have shown love. The love of charity is an action and requires much of us. If we are to fulfill this first and greatest commandment of love of God and neighbor, then we cannot wait until we feel like loving to act. Instead, we must act now and not hesitate. This is love.Reflect, today, upon the true nature of love. Love, in its most elevated form, is the choice to do what is best for others—to help free them from sin and to be an instrument of God's providence in their lives. It's a participation in the very love that God has shown us in Christ Jesus by giving His life for our salvation. We are all called to devote ourselves to this same form of selfless and sacrificial love. Doing so is a requirement for the glorious sharing in eternal life.My loving Lord, You have given everything to fallen humanity. You have freed us from sin and provided for all of our needs. You have acted as a true neighbor in every way. Please give me the grace I need to imitate You and to participate in the love You have for others. May I truly act and never hesitate to bestow on others the charitable love to which I am called. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: African depiction of "The Good Samaritan" by Tim Kubacki, license CC BY 2.0Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

My daughter was all excited about the sign she saw at the airport. It was actually over the door at a terminal, and it simply said, "Through these doors pass the greatest employees in the world." She said, "You know, Dad, that would make me feel like I was really doing a good job if I came under that every day." It gives you something you want to live up to. I hope you're posting the right kind of sign. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "I'll Become What You Call Me." Well, our word for today from the Word of God is from Acts 4, and I'm going to read beginning at verse 36 where a man gets a name change. "Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet." Now, notice Joseph becomes Barnabas, The Encourager. We read about him on several occasions in the book of Acts, not the least of which is when he came with Saul of Tarsus, who had just come to Christ. Now, remember, Saul had been persecuting the church. He was like public enemy number one for the Christians. But, "When Saul came to Jerusalem, (Acts says) he tried to join the disciples, and they were all afraid of him. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles." This is the kind of thing Barnabas does throughout his ministry. He goes on to encourage new Gentile believers in Antioch, and nobody's quite sure about them. He rehabilitates Mark when Paul fires him. The point is, the apostles called Joseph an encourager, and he just kept living up to what they called him. That's a principle of human behavior. We tend to become the name we're called. That airline seems to know that, "Through these doors pass the greatest employees in the world." If you call them that, maybe they'll live up to it. That means you have at your disposal a powerful tool for building people, or a destructive weapon for tearing them down. For example, what names do you call your son or daughter? How many times have you said stupid, or lazy, or rebel, or problem? Well, you're programming them with ideas about themselves, and they may then go on to just prove you right. Think about what you've called your husband or wife lately, or that person who frustrates you - that person who's so irritating, so negative. You can help change a person if you'll look for their strengths and tell them what you see. Call them that good thing. Find a name you can use to bring out their best. Maybe that person, for all of their weaknesses, all of their negativeness, maybe they're obnoxious, but are they generous? Maybe they're sensitive, they fight for their family. Maybe they're a person of conviction; they're organized. Maybe they have a great smile, or a great spirit, or a budding talent. Would you tell them what you see? Would they make a great Christian if they turned their mind and talents toward Christ? Sometimes I've said that to people. "You know what, you would make a great follower of Jesus." Then they look surprised and I tell them their qualities that would make them a great follower of His. "With a mind like yours, with a gift like yours, oh what a follower of Christ you would be!" Tell the people around you who they could be with the strengths that they have, even if you only see a little bit of it. Because by naming it, you can nurture it. Look at those people close to you as if they were wearing a big old sign that says, "I'll become what you call me."

Luke 10:25a, 29b-37 - And behold, a lawyer stood up to put Him to the test, … desiring to justify himself, [the lawyer] said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Mother Hilda says we can find all the characters in the Good Samaritan story in ourselves. The man beaten, the brigand causing the hurt, the Levite ignoring the plight of those around us, the good Samaritan responding to our neighbour and the innkeeper taking care of with a healing smile or word, and some patience

Psalm 142 (NET)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss being content with having the Lord no matter what else we have.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=22037The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

"What must I do to inherit eternal life?" A lawyer brings this question to Jesus and Jesus draws out the answer as it's written in the law: Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Sarah Stenson and Lars Olson teach us how by asking the very question reveals where the lawyer's heart and your heart truly are. CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTIONIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those struggling with life's challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the broken places of addiction not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about fixing people—it's about preaching the Gospel.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls - AddictionSING TO THE LORD Martin Luther said, "Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. 

God at Work: The Practice of Compassion in an Unstable World  – Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard  Summary: In this fourth sermon in the God at Work series, Pastor Donnell Wyche explores Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) as a call to radical compassion in an unstable world. The message begins with a question posed to Jesus by an expert in the law: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Rather than answering directly, Jesus draws the man into a deeper conversation about love, mercy, and what it truly means to live. Pastor Donnell explains how Jesus resists the logic of empire—where worth is earned and compassion is conditional—and instead presents a vision of God as a generous, sufficient, and loving Father who desires mercy, not sacrifice. Pastor Donnell highlights that Jesus shifts the conversation away from legalism and boundary-setting by telling a better story—a story that bypasses arguments and invites transformation. The Samaritan's compassion, not his credentials, is the turning point in Jesus' parable. The priest and the Levite preserve religious appearance, but the Samaritan, moved by compassion, takes costly action. Pastor Donnell emphasizes that the original question “Who is my neighbor?” is left unanswered by Jesus because it's the wrong question. The better question is, “Will I allow myself to be moved by compassion?”—a question that requires not theological certainty but a heart formed by God's love. Bringing the message into the present, Pastor Donnell connects the call to compassion to real-life challenges facing communities today, including Ann Arbor's land use debates. He reflects on how compassion invites us to see others not as threats or obstacles, but as neighbors who belong. Pastor Donnell encourages listeners to resist the impulse to restrict mercy and instead practice a compassionate presence rooted in God's grace. In a world that asks us to draw boundaries, Jesus asks us to open our hearts and join our spirits with God's—to love boldly, generously, and without condition.

What are the scariest stories from the Bible? Today we specifically explore the haunting stories in the book of judges, including Ehud and the assassination of Eglon, the butchery of Sisera, Abimelech's bloodthirsty rise and brutal death, Jephthah's sacrifice of his daughter, and other terrifying stories…WELCOME TO Religion CAMP

JUDGES | The Levite's Sin | Judges 20:18-28 | Kort Marley by Providence Community Church

In this lesson, Pastor Bill demostrates how Barnabas, a Levite believer, stood in the gap many times throughout his and Paul's travels to the churches in Asia. Listen as we learn how we too must, today, stand in the gap for those around us who are unable to.

In this challenging conclusion to our series in the Book of Judges, Pastor Dorrell examines the horrific and shocking narrative of chapters 19-21. This single, brutal story of a Levite, his concubine, and a subsequent civil war serves as a graphic illustration of what happens when a nation has no king and, as the text says, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." This message unpacks how this ancient account exposes the devastating consequences of moral relativism, drawing a direct parallel to our modern culture that prizes personal truth over absolute standards. It is a vital warning about what happens when human solutions are applied to spiritual problems and a powerful call to anchor our lives in the unchanging truth of God's Word.Eastland is a Place to BelongEastland Baptist Church is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are a welcoming and close-knit family community that loves to care for each other through the Church. We strongly believe in loving and supporting each other and our neighbors. Our members don't just attend our Church; they feel a strong sense of belonging.Join Us Find service times and our location at https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/join. Connect with UsWebsite: https://www.eastlandbaptist.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastlandbaptisttulsaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastlandbaptistTo support the ministry of Eastland Baptist Church, tap here: https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/give.

Flowing with God or Fighting against God?   Scale of 1-10 If flowing with God is a 10—and fighting against God is a 1—where are you on that scale? Acts 4:36-37 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. Acts 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.  6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.  11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.   Beware of hypocrisy.   12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade.  13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.  14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.  15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.  16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.   17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.  18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.    Beware of jealousy.   19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.  20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.  22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”  24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”  26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.  28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!  30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.  31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.  32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Beware of neutrality. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus teaches that loving God is inseparable from genuine faith, and faithful love toward God is expressed in obedience by loving others as a good neighbor. I. The Lawyer Asks Two Questions A. Question 1: "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" - 1. The Lord's Counter-Question - 2. The Lawyer's Answer - 3. The Lord's Response B. Question 2: "And who is my neighbor?" II. The Lord Tells a Parable A. The Circumstance of the Parable B. The Characters of the Parable - 1. The Priest - 2. The Levite - 3. The Samaritan C. The Conclusion of the Parable - 1. The Lord's Question - 2. The Lawyer's Response - 3. The Lord's Command

Finding the Biblical Ruth and Boaz In Today's Culture of Confusion   What does an ancient love story have to say about modern chaos? Host Curtis Chang and Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch dive into the Book of Ruth to uncover radical lessons on redemption, loyalty, and faithfulness that challenge today's culture of individualism and spiritual mobility. From Naomi's grief to Ruth's fierce commitment and Boaz's redemptive actions, Andy and Curtis explore how acts of devotion can disrupt systems of power and reshape community. Discover how an old story can offer fresh vision for navigating displacement, hospitality, and purpose in our fractured world.   Donate to Redeeming Babel   Resources mentioned in this episode: Book of Ruth (ESV) Rachael Starke's Boys will be Boaz (TGC article) Judges 19-20 (ESV) - the Levite's concubine N.T. Wright explains Scripture as narrative (video)  Understanding the Hebrew word hesed Understanding gleaning in the story of Ruth The role of and the ultimate kinsman-redeemer   More From Andy Crouch: Interact with Andy's website Check out Andy's work at Praxis Read Andy's book: The Life We're Looking For Read Andy's book: The Tech-Wise Family   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter

Send us a textBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23You can't Learn  fruit. Fruit is the Byproduct of who we are. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”   “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”  He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Luke 10:25-33I can Keep My Distance I can be Curious but Uncaring  I can Show Kindness 1.   I must see The Needs of people around me.“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Luke 10:332.  I must sympathize With their Pain.Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Luke 10:33Stop asking: What's wrong with them?Ask: What  Happened to them? 3.  I must seize the Moment to help. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Luke 10:34I must be willing to Be Interrupted. I have to be willing to Face my fears. 4.  I must spend whatever it takes.Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.  The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?” “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:36-37Being kind to the people in need is like lending to the Lord, and He will repay you for the kindness you have shown. Proverbs 19:17 NCV Discussion Questions:What's one idea from the message that really stood out to you? Why did this idea grab your attention?Can you think of some examples where we use other's pain as entertainment?  What are some practical areas of your life where slowing down will help you be more kind?How can we be more intentional about engaging our feelings to sympathize with other people's struggles?What are some common costs to showing kindness and how can we be more prepared to pay them this week? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today's message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

In his latter days, David charges his son Solomon to build the temple for the worship of God, and this is when we learn a few pieces of new information. First, we learn that the Lord did not allow David to build the temple because his hands had shed so much blood and because he had waged great wars. We also realize that David looked forward to the building of the temple even though he himself couldn't build it, charging his son with the task and spending his own time and resources to create a stockpile for the project. David also assigns duties and tasks for the Levite priests before he dies, paving the way for transition from the tabernacle to the temple once Solomon becomes king.1 Chronicles 21 - 1:03 . 1 Chronicles 22 - 8:07 . 1 Chronicles 23 - 12:24 . Psalm 104 - 17:22 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

St. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus who, with St. Paul, was an apostle to the gentiles. Originally named Joseph, the other apostles gave him the name Barnabas, which means "son of encouragement.” All possessions were held in common, so Barnabas sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. He became a leader of the Church in Jerusalem. When Paul, who had been a persecutor of Christians, was converted and wanted to join Jesus' followers, the disciples were understandably skeptical about Paul. It was Barnabas who advocated for him and encouraged others to forgive him. Barnabas is, therefore, the patron saint of second chances. While the exact details are disputed, tradition holds that he was martyred at Salamis in Cyprus. His feast day is celebrated on June 11.Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:5-12; Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3; Matthew 10:7-16The Uniqueness of the TrinityPr. Wes Kimball0:16 10:03Download

How ironic that the unity which was lacking at the start of Judges is now evident for retribution. Verse 1 "all Israel... as one man... from Dan to Beersheba came together to destroy their brothers - 400,000 of them. On hearing the Levite's report vengeance is agreed upon. In v11, for emphasis, we have repeated "all Israel... as one man". The Benjamites, likewise, gather unitedly to fight for undeserving reprobates in a forlorn hope. The record adds, with a measure of sadness, that 700 from the tribe meaning 'son of the right hand' were left-handed ie untrue to what should be expected from them. These Benjamanites were so accurate in using their slingshots that the description was that they could hit a target of a hair's' breadth - the expression "not miss" means in the Hebrew to 'not sin' (sin is 'a missing of the mark'; we aim for perfection but we all fall short of this: see Romans 3 verse 23). The chapter concludes with the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin - but 600 only surviving.

Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, a Galilean; the Gospel accounts say little more about him. It is said that, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he traveled in the service of the Gospel to Arabia and Persia, and brought to India a translation of the Gospel according to Matthew. Eusebius writes that one hundred years later Pantaenus, an illustrious Alexandrian scholar, found this gospel when he traveled in India. By most accounts Bartholomew ended his life in Armenia, where he met his martyrdom by crucifixion. According to many, he and Nathaniel are the same person: the Gospel accounts that speak of Bartholomew do not mention Nathaniel; and St John's Gospel,which mentions Nathanael as one of the Twelve, does not mention Bartholomew. But according to the Greek Synaxarion, Bartholomew and Simon the Zealot are one and the same.   Saint Barnabas was one of the Seventy, from Cyprus, a Levite and at one time a fellow-student with St Paul under Gamaliel. After Christ's Ascension, he led the Seventy until the Apostle Paul's conversion. He is mentioned often in the Acts of the Apostles, which describes some of his travels as a companion of St Paul. By all accounts, he was the first to preach the Gospel of Christ in Rome and in Milan. His wonder-working relics were discovered on the island of Cyprus in the time of the Emperor Zeno; on this basis the Church of Cyprus was established as an independent Church, since it had an apostolic foundation.

When you serve the Lord, Nancy says you're a lot like a Levite in the Old Testament. You've been entrusted with treasure to steward, and you have a God who promises to help you bear all the burdens of ministry. He is with you!