The Upper Room 3 February 2022 Devotional | Thursday Message
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Who Is My Neighbor?
Luis Pastén Pastén (Antofagasta, Chile)
TODAY’S READING
Luke 10:25-37
KEY VERSE: Wanting to justify himself, [the lawyer] asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” – Luke 10:29 (NRSV)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Today I will follow Jesus’ commandment to love my neighbor.
The Upper Room 3 February 2022 Devotional Message
In response to the lawyer’s question in today’s scripture reading, Jesus offers a parable which encourages us to show solidarity and compassion for fellow human beings, regardless of the circumstances.
This mandate is similar to the mission that firefighters in Chile have always followed. In Chile, all who serve as firefighters are volunteers and take to heart the mission to “love your neighbor.” Those who volunteer as firefighters are willing to give their lives for others if necessary.
Having served as a firefighter for more than 65 years, I have witnessed many tragedies where families have lost homes, belongings, and family members to fires. Tragedy is everywhere, though. People all over the world have experienced earthquakes, tsunamis, devastating storms, and the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the world.
Firefighters and other dedicated personnel, especially in the field of health services, continue to struggle to help our neighbors. All of us can remain committed to loving our neighbors because the call to love God and neighbor is Jesus’ greatest commandment.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Your words are written on our hearts, O God. Embolden our resolve to show our love for you by helping our neighbors. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
Firefighters
The Upper Room 3 February 2022 Devotional. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More