Allow me to be fully disclosing; there are some people I have no problem "loving" and then there are others who I find it difficult to "love." How about you? One more thing since I'm bearing my soul, there are times in my life where I wish I could cut "certain parts" out of the Bible. The reason being, I just don't want to be accountable for those parts and/or passages because of how it gets at my character or activities or judgements.
One such Bible passage is Luke 10:25-37. You might know it, not like you could quote it or anything, but you may have heard it referred to at times. I've heard its phraseology used in movies, TV shows, magazine articles, in general conversations, when someone says, "Now there's a Good Samaritan!"
No doubt you could be thinking right about now, "Tim, you're sick. You want to cut THAT passage from the Bible? Why would anyone want to do such a thing? It's a classic. The Samaritan dude went out of his way and totally demonstrated specific care for someone. How can you not want that for yourself?"
I get it. I can understand how you would think that way. I'm just being honest with you, that's all. This story destroys me EVERY time. First, there are three guys in this story. More often than not, I'm like the first two folks. Yikes! And even when I'm a bit like the third guy, the Samaritan, I'm not really like him. I want to limit my involvement in time, in effort, in cost. I just don't like the story. I mean, I do, but I don't. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.
So it might seem odd to you, when I tell you that this weekend (February 25 & 26), I'm going to teach from this passage of the Bible, Luke10:25-37. I am asking that you read it over before you come to TheCrossing this weekend. Even though I'd prefer to cut it out because I don't really like what Jesus said, I need to hear it; but not just hear it, I need to get it and live it! This weekend, Saturday night at 5:30 pm or Sunday morning at 9:15 & 11:15 am, I am asking you to join me as we learn together some of the harder stuff of life.
See you at The Crossing,
Tim Celek
Lead PastorThe Crossing website: thecrossing.com
Facebook: Tim Celek
