Jesus gave amazing teachings, far better than anyone who has ever lived. When you look at all the gospels and you read the words that Jesus spoke, there is so much wisdom and truth. Every word he spoke was intentional and cut to the soul. What he taught was transformational to all who heard it. He was our example of sharing the gospel unashamed. His words even today are just as real and alive as they were when he said them.
The Red Letters
We read in Luke 7:1, “When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum.”
The chapter before is all in red. Each verse is important. Each sentence holds so much meaning. It can be read over and over, and each time you can get something out of it. Still, we come to find when we begin Chapter 7 that not all listened to Jesus.
Jesus spoke to all who were present in body, but His words and teachings only reached the ones who had ears to hear. This is why many times after Jesus would share a parable or a teaching, He would say,
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Luke 8:8, Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:23)
Our Role In Sharing His Word
This should resonate in us today for two reasons.
- If Jesus, being who He is, the Son of God, was not listened to by everyone, then we are no one that anyone should listen to us.
- We know that it isn’t our job to get everyone to listen, let alone to grow. Our job, like Paul wrote, is sharing the gospel unashamedly “because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16)
Jesus was undeterred about those who ignored Him and did not demand to be heard.
Likewise, many of us, when we talk about abortion to others, may not be heard by all. Just because you are called to do something, doesn’t always mean it is guaranteed that all will hear.
Though the truth of abortion is for all to know, not everyone will receive it. Just like Jesus, we should stay humble and not be deterred over who listened and who didn’t. Our focus should always be to do what God says and let Him do the work of transforming people’s lives.
Devotional for Day 8
Intention: May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.
Scripture: Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of 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. “So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” —Luke 10:30-37
Reflection: Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death. But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, “If I don’t stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” In working to save the unborn, let’s not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let’s worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don’t.
Prayer: Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
