Edition 15: Faith
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And 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 neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Commentary
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." — Maya Angelou
Oh gosh, my least favorite topic to write about. Why?, I am even less qualified compared to other topics that I write about. For the topic of Faith, I have to work harder to write about it. Why do I do it?
Writing is my forcing factor to help me get better. Plus, I hope that someone gets something out of my writing and then helps another and helps another and so on. The compounding effect is very powerful.
"Good and evil increase at compound interest. That's why the little decisions we make every day are of infinite importance." - Charlie Munger
I write because I want to feel good about getting a little better each day. I write because I am selfish, but I am trying to improve and be a giver.
My Faith is as a Christian and I believe Jesus died, so our sins can be forgiven. Jesus was the ultimate giver; humble; yet he was the Almighty.
I write as a novice about Christianity and whether you are a Christian or not, I believe there are many lessons to be learned from Jesus about leadership.
Leadership is not a title or job, it’s what leaders do to impact others and they have followers. Hence, they are leading and people are following.
“Leaders have followers. Managers have employees. Managers make widgets. Leaders make change.” Seth Godin
What made Jesus so impactful and the greatest leader? Many things! These are some of the things that came very quickly to my mind and I want to share with you.
Jesus was Humble and showed Servant Leadership
Jesus was extremely humble. He washed other’s feet. He comforted and sat with sinners and beggars. He served others and not himself.
“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:5).
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Jesus was Bold and stood for what is Right.
He turned over tables of those doing unjust business in houses of worship and he called out hypocrisy. He spoke openly and stood up against unfair religious corruption.
John 2:14-15: He found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves in the temple, so he made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple area.
Mathew 23: 13“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
He was Forgiving and Gentle
Jesus managed to extend forgiveness to the guards who were crucifying them … in the middle of the act to kill Jesus!
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do....And they cast lots to divide his garments” (Luke 23:34).
Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?
"and he told her, "Then neither do I condemn you... Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:10–11).
Jesus was Prayerful and talked to God
He regularly left crowds behind to spend quite time talking with God. “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16).
Jesus could tell a impactful story
Maybe this is a little too informal, but Jesus could tell a great “story”, called a parable. I might imagine someone telling a “great story” as someone who can sit around the campfire and tell a story that makes people laugh and have a good time.
It does not seem Jesus told these type of stories, but Jesus could tell a story-parable that had deep meaning about what is right and what is wrong and how to live a life in Faith. Being able to tell a story.
“Storytelling is the oldest form of education.” – Terry Tempest Williams.
“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” – Steve Jobs
Jesus was clearly a Leader in all ways. He was humble, kind, bold, powerful, and yet forgiving. He could tell a simple story to teach that has everlasting impact on us all.
No fancy title at the time and no fancy clothes. He was serving others and making the ultimate sacrifice to save others.
He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more; He who loses faith, loses all. - Eleanor Roosevelt
Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Great! – Books, Podcasts, or Videos
The Daily Promise
Billy Taylor
Begin your day with a positive 3 minute reminder of God's goodness and promise to you. With all the negative in the world, you can use a little positive inspiration. 1 promise, 3 minutes, 5 days a week. The Daily Promise is a positive look at the scripture promises and how they can work in your life. If you are tired of all the bad news, begin your day with a quick reminder of how much God loves you and His promises to you.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-promise/id1459922274