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January 20, 2010
SMLC Midweek Devotions
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Our Mission
Invite others to hear the gospel and together grow as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
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In this issue:
January 24th Lessons and Gospel
Weekly Devotions
Quote of the Week
Chuckle of the Week
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January 24th Pastor Dave Farley preaching: "Love Takes a Detour"
Lesson of the Day: Hebrews 13:1-6 Service Well-Pleasing to God
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' So we can say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?'
Gospel of the Day: Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. 'Teacher,' he said, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, 'What is written in the law? What do you read there?' He answered, '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 neighbour as yourself.' And he said to him, 'You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.'
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbour?' Jesus replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend." Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?' He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'
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Weekly Devotions
A PRIESTLY APOLOGETIC
By Laurie Christopher
What!! You're looking at me like I'm some kind of murderer or child molester! I did nothing wrong! Tell me you would have stopped to help someone lying in the middle of the road - someone covered with blood and dirt so close to dying, he might as well already have been dead. Anyway, can you imagine the cleansing ritual I would have had to endure? Just how long would it take to rid myself of such defilement? Seven days! For seven days, I would be considered unclean because I touched a dead corpse. I would have had to go through two purification rituals - one on the third day and another on the seventh. My schedule won't allow for that.
And, yes, I am important - too important to be defiled by touching a dead corpse. Priests like myself pride ourselves on not only honoring the Ten Commandments, but also strictly observing the laws contained within the Sefer Torah.
Who is this Jesus of Nazareth to be questioning my actions? As a male from the direct line of Aaron, serving as a priest in the holy temple of God is my birthright. Do you know what I do? Do you have any idea what responsibilities have been entrusted to my care? I am responsible for the care of the sanctuary. Just as my father and father's father and so on back to Aaron did, so I polish the lampstand and refill each of the seven lamps with oil. I care for the table, the altars - even the curtain that separates the sanctuary of God and keeps it holy. Were anyone else to even approach the sanctuary, they would be put to death.
That holy of holy places is sacred to me. I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on that inner sanctum. I had been consecrated with oil - to be set apart for God's holy work. Keeping that space perfect is what I'm all about - it's a matter of pride for me. I honor the God of my fathers' - of Abraham. I keep his laws and I love the cleanliness of my station in life.
I have no business with dead corpses. Don't bother me with such common nonsense. Neighbors and mercy! A Samaritan! How could he even dare to bring a Samaritan into the same setting as a priest and a Levite? We priests and Levites are the chosen people - not the Samaritans! The fact that a Samaritan would touch a dead corpse - doesn't that just speak volumes to you?
We are well respected members of society. Important leaders go out of their way to consult us on matters of consequence. What does this Jesus know of our ways, really? He's just some poor son of a carpenter. What education has he had that he could speak knowledgeably about such subjects? He's not educated. But, I am. I am a learned man.
And, so, no - I didn't stop to help the dying man. Yes, I crossed the street and looked the other way. But, let me ask you something. That last steer that you purchased, what did you do with it? Did you use that to increase your own prosperity? Or, did you give it away to the poorest in your village? And, that colorful coat you are wearing, would you remove it from your back and use it to cover the lame beggar lying just beyond the town gates? I thought as much! You take care of your neighbor - you invite the diseased to attend your next banquet. Then, come talk to me about the purification ritual you'll need to do. As for me, I am not ordinary and I do not answer to a neighbor.
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Quote of the Week
"What will you do when you leave football, Jack, will you stay in football?" - Stuart Hall
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Chuckle of the Week
Trying to come to the aid of his Dad, who was stopped by an officer for speeding, the mischievous child piped up, "Yeah? Well, if we were speeding, so were you!"
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Invitation for a Friend ~ Please clip & deliver!
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St. Matthew Lutheran Church
10390 SW Canyon Road
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
(503) 644-9148
Sunday Services at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 a.m.
Childcare available during all three services.
Visit us at: http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/
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