Freedom Through Serving

In Luke 10:25, a Jewish lawyer, well versed in Mosaic Law, asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him what he thought the Scriptures said about it. The man pointed to the Law and said, “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” [Lev 19:18; Deut 6:5] (AMP). When Jesus told him that his answer was correct, the lawyer, wanting to vindicate and justify his actions, asked Jesus to clarify who his neighbor was. He wanted the freedom that eternal life would bring him without loving and serving everyone.

Jesus saw right into his heart and told the story of the Good Samaritan. This man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was robbed, beaten and left for dead. A priest walked by and when he saw him, walked by on the other side of the road. Next a Levite, who helped priests perform their duties, came by and did the same thing. Both of these men would have taught what the lawyer quoted as the greatest commandments. Then a Samaritan, who was despised by the audience and the people in the story, came along. He picked up the man, bandaged his wounds, picked him up, placed him on his donkey, took him to an inn and paid for his medical bills. Jesus asked which one proved to follow the Law. The man replied that it was the Samaritan because he showed mercy and compassion.

In today’s world, we’re quick to pick up other people’s offenses and slow to pick up their burdens. Imagine if the Samaritan had simply picked up the man’s offense against the robbers, the priest and the Levite. Instead, he picked the man up and carried him to help. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].” We find freedom in fulfilling the Law of Christian love in caring for our neighbors and carrying their burdens. When we carry their offense, we join their prison of bitterness. God has called us to a life of freedom and to set captives free. We do that by picking up their burdens, loving them through their offense and restoring them in a spirit of gentleness. When we do this, we fulfill the Law of Christ and bring freedom to those who need it most.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash