Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Bible in a Year: Job 33-34 | Matthew 19

Before Jesus tells the “Parable of the Good Samaritan,” a man asks a question - not to learn, but to defend his narrow-mindedness: “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus doesn’t respond with a definition. He tells a story they could feel:

A man is beaten, robbed, and left for dead. A priest and a temple assistant see him and pass by. But then a Samaritan, someone viewed as an outsider, stops. He doesn’t just feel something; he does something. He tends to the man’s wounds, gives up his ride, spends his money, and rearranges his plans.

Then Jesus turns the question back to the man in Luke 10:36-37:

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Don’t miss this! The man answers his own question. The one who came to justify himself already recognized the true meaning of neighbor.

And so do we.

It would have been easy for the Samaritan to keep going. He had places to be. Helping cost him time, comfort, and resources. But he let compassion interrupt his plans.

If we’re honest, we often look more like those who passed by the injured man. Not because we don’t care, but because we’re busy, distracted, and overwhelmed. We tell ourselves someone else will step in, as we quietly justify why we don’t.

But Jesus calls us to a love that doesn’t look away.

It notices.

It stops.

It moves toward action.

When we’ve truly experienced the freedom of Christ’s mercy, kindness, and grace, it changes how we see people. We stop seeing interruptions and start seeing opportunities.

Opportunities to be his hands and feet. Opportunities to live out the mercy we’ve already received. We stop asking, “Do I have to?” and start living like, “I get to serve.”

That’s what freedom does. It loosens our grip on time, comfort, and control and opens our hearts to others. We don’t have to solve everything, but that shouldn’t stop us from doing something. Those moments of compassion become more than feelings. They become movements - actions of love - that reflect Jesus.

So, today, pay attention. Who is on the side of your road?

Questions:
Where might I be choosing convenience over compassion right now?

What is one small way I can “stop and see” someone today?.

Next Steps:
Ask God to interrupt your day, and when he does, say yes. Act on the first opportunity you see to serve, even if it feels inconvenient.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for the mercy you’ve shown me. Thank you for the times you stopped for me, cared for me, and didn’t pass me by. Help me not to live with closed eyes or a hurried heart. Give me compassion that moves me to action. Teach me to love like you. Help me love freely, sacrificially, and without hesitation. Interrupt my plans today, Lord, and give me the courage to say “yes.” Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Ephesians 1:5
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

This post was written by Monique Myers, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.