Daily Devotional for September 19, 2024
Bike-wrecked
As Molly and Asher passed a tall fence surrounding an empty lot on their way home from school, they heard the sound of crying. They peeked through one of the broken slats and were astonished to see the school bully, Ryan Taylor, sitting in the dirt and sobbing on the other side.
“Look,” Molly whispered, pointing. “He busted his bike.” The badly wrecked bike lay in a heap. Ryan had a skinned knee and blood on his face. Asher and Molly looked at him for a moment and then hurried on by, each secretly thinking that Ryan Taylor had finally gotten what he deserved.
Not long after they got home, Molly and Asher heard Dad drive in. When they went to the kitchen, they were amazed to find Dad helping Ryan Taylor into the house! Dad pulled out a chair for Ryan, and Mom quickly began cleaning his knee and face. Molly and Asher hung back near the wall as Ryan told Dad that he lived with his grandmother. Soon Ryan and his wrecked bike were on their way home in Dad’s car.
“I’m so glad your dad came along when he did,” said Mom. “Not everyone helps people like your father does. He’s really a Good Samaritan.”
“A Good Samaritan?” asked Molly.
“You mean like the man in the Bible who helped another man on the side of the road when no one else did?” asked Asher.
“Yes,” said Mom. “The priest and Levite in that story–religious leaders you’d expect would help–pretended not to see the man in trouble and just went on their way. But the Good Samaritan went out of his way to help him, and your dad is like that–he loves Jesus, and he knows Jesus loves everyone so much that He died for us and wants us to show His love to others, even those who don’t seem like they deserve it.”
Molly and Asher looked at each other, knowing they should have helped Ryan. Then Asher had an idea. “Do you think Ryan would like to have my old blue bike? I haven’t used it since I got my new one, but it’s still good.”
“Good idea!” said Mom. “That’s a great way to show Ryan God’s love.”
–Carolyn E. Yost
How about you?
Do you help people whenever you can, even if they don’t treat you or other people well? God loves them, and He wants you to love them too—to treat them as neighbors and love them as you love yourself. That’s loving them quite a lot, isn’t it? But when you remember how much God loves you—so much that Jesus died for your sins so you could have eternal life with Him—it’s easier to show that love to others.
Today's Verse
Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:19 NKJV
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