Running to the Fireનમૂનો

CALLED TO GO

As we saw yesterday, Jesus followed up His parable of the Good Samaritan with a question:

“Which of these three [the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan] do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36, NIV).

The expert in the law who touched off this discussion replied, “The one who had mercy on him” (v. 37, NIV).

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise” (v. 37, NIV).

Not a suggestion, but a command.

Based on this scripture, my encouragement to you is to get involved in the lives of others. That starts by not walking past the wounded on the side of the road, whether a neighbor in your community or on the other side of the world.

When I have to make decisions after a catastrophe has occurred somewhere in the world, I have often been reminded of Jesus’s words “Go and do likewise.” The little word go, in fact, is critical to our purpose in life.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find the word go constantly given—to the forgiven, to the healed, to the wealthy and the poor alike, and, finally, to Jesus’s followers.

Go and be reconciled.

Go with them, not one but two miles.

Go, show yourself to the priest.

Go, let it be done just as you believed.

Go, take your mat and walk.

Go and proclaim this message.

Go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor.

Go to the street corners.

Go and make disciples of all nations.

To anyone who claims Jesus is Lord, His command is clear: Go. The only question that remains is, Will you?

Looking around your world today, where do you see flames engulfing others—flames of violence, deprivation, loneliness, confusion, lostness? What would it look like for you to offer help in Jesus’s name—for you to run to the fire?

This plan is presented to you by Running to the Fire by Ken Isaacs. To learn more about this book, please click here.