Biweekly Devotional 7-28-2026

Published by Pastor Harry Zuraski in Biweekly Devotional · Tuesday 28 Jul 2026 · 2 minutes
Tags: Biweekly, Devotional, 7, 28, 2026

Luke 10:27

27 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’^[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Living the Greatest Commandment

The scripture referenced here introduces the parable of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus told to clarify the meaning of the word "neighbor." According to the greatest commandment, we are called to love God and to love our neighbor. It is important to recognize that loving God is intimately connected to loving those around us. The parable presents two religious figures—a Priest and a Levite—who pass by a man who has been robbed and left in need. Their reasons for ignoring the man are not explained, but ultimately, their lack of action speaks for itself. Unexpectedly, it is the Samaritan, a person whom society might have expected to ignore the victim, who stops and offers help. Jesus then asks which of the three acted as a neighbor, highlighting that true neighborliness is shown through acts of love and compassion.

This lesson remains relevant today. Many people claim to love their neighbors, yet sometimes fail to respond to suffering or even justify acts of abuse. In reality, neither neglect nor complicity is acceptable. Followers of Jesus are called to support and uplift those who are marginalized or in need. If we fail to act, we become like the Priest and Levite in the story—missing the opportunity to live out God's love. Jesus calls us to be like the Samaritan, demonstrating love not just through words or public declarations, but through our daily actions and choices.