“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9

“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. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii 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.’ ³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” ³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37

“The religion of Jesus makes the love-ethic central. This is no ordinary achievement. It seems clear that Jesus started out with the simple teaching concerning love embodied in the timeless words of Israel: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might,” and “thy neighbour as thyself.” Once the neighbor is defined, then one’s moral obligation is clear. In a memorable story Jesus defined the neighbor by telling of the Good Samaritan. With sure artistry and great power he depicted what happens when a man responds directly to human need across the barriers of class, race, and condition. Every man is potentially every other man’s neighbor. Neighborliness is nonspatial; it is qualitative. A man must love his neighbor directly, clearly, permitting no barriers between.” (Howard Thurman. Jesus and the Disinherited (p. 89). Beacon Press. Kindle Edition.)

If our love is genuine, then we love all people, not just the ones who love us back. Hopefully someone in your life has told you at some point that it is far better to “Kill someone with kindness” then to seek vengeance. It is amazing how kindness gives your enemy nothing to hang their anger on – while venom toward your enemy just empowers them to hate even more. “Let love be genuine…” Paul says. So what is genuine Love? Genuine love is a love one lives out, demonstrates on all people, shares with everyone they meet – not just with those who love them back. The love the Good Samaritan shows the man who was left for dead is genuine love. Paul will go on to write, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor…” And the Prophet Muhammad said “Anyone who believes in God…should entertain his guest generously” – or like the Good Samaritan, show extravagant hospitality. Yes, it isn’t easy, but where does Jesus ever say that they way of the cross would be easy?

Pastor Dave