I need reminders.

I have plenty of lists and schedules to keep me on task and on time, but the reminder in this passage makes me think about something that falls off my radar—hospitality to strangers. I know it’s essential to invest myself in personal relationships, but when God reminds me to be hospitable to strangers . . . that’s a little tricky. I feel like kindness to strangers is all I really have time for, and this passage makes me scratch my head a little. Hospitable? How do you show hospitality to people you don’t know? Not sure I can see how that works (and I easily forget or put off things that I don’t understand).

Jesus told the perfect parable to help us understand—and remember.

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” Luke 10:30-35

For the moment, just consider how the parable of the Good Samaritan teaches and motivates you to be hospitable. The perfect love of Jesus comes to you with selfless love and the ultimate sacrifice. He picked you up off the side of the road where you were dead in sin. Jesus gave his life as the sacrifice to pay for sin so you could be forgiven and live eternally. He brings you into his family and takes care of you at his expense.

Now, Jesus reminds you to be mindful of others because he wants them to receive the love and forgiveness you receive from him. He reminds you to invest extra time when you can connect with strangers because he gave his life to draw people into relationships with him. Jesus wants you to listen to others and hear what they need because it’s a place you can show love. Graciously do what you can to help them and share Jesus’ forgiveness. It might be hard when you have to stop what you’re doing, share some of the physical blessings God has given you, or be inconvenienced. But when you remember Jesus and his free grace, it doesn’t seem so hard. When you are focused on Jesus—and thankful for his priceless blessings—you naturally reflect his love.

Just don’t forget!

Remember Jesus.