Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Luke 10 Devotional

Receiving Before Doing

“But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.””Luke 10:42 (BSB)

An expert in the law asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. He knows the Law's answer: love God completely, and love others as you love yourself (10:25-27). Wanting to justify himself, he asks who counts as his neighbor (10:29). Jesus answers with a story. A priest and a Levite see a beaten man and pass by on the other side. A Samaritan sees him, has compassion, bandages his wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care (10:30-35). The question becomes whether he will show mercy at all (10:36-37).

No hearer can justify himself after that. Then, in a village home, Martha is distracted by preparations while her sister Mary sits at the Lord's feet listening (10:38-40). Jesus says Mary has chosen what is needed, and it will not be taken from her (10:42). Before mercy can be lived, a word must be received from Jesus. The love he asks for grows out of time spent hearing him.

To think about: What keeps you from sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to him before you rush into serving others?

About Luke 10: The Seventy-Two and the Good Samaritan

Jesus sends out seventy-two to prepare his way and rejoices when they return. Asked who counts as a neighbor, he tells the parable of the good Samaritan. At the home of Martha and Mary, he commends Mary for sitting at his feet to listen.

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