As you may recall, the disciples of Jesus had been out and about healing and preaching in the name of the Lord. You can only imagine the feeling that must have been to have the power of the Lord working though you to do such amazing things! Watching devils depart from people who were possessed … it had to be quite incredible for these men. Jesus said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him.

He turned to His disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them.

Then a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said to Him, What is written in the law? What do you think? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. Jesus said to him, You have answered right. Do this, and you shall live. But the lawyer, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering told this parable:

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his clothing, and wounded him, and left, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came by where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the next day when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said to him, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. Which now of these three, do you think, was neighborly to him that fell among the thieves? And the lawyer said, He that showed mercy on him. Then Jesus said to him, Go, and do likewise.

Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jewish people and priests and Levites were considered very holy people, so the message was clear. Compassion should be one of our priorities in hoping for eternal life.

Jesus then entered into a certain village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister named Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and listened to His Word. These were the sisters of Jesus’ friend Lazarus. But Martha was burdened about much serving, and came to Jesus and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful (a priority), and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

We all have busy lives where worldly things manipulate our time. Don’t forget your priorities and always make time for the Lord first and He will help put all other things in order.

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