Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s an honor to be here with you today.
Today is August 6.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

You are stepping into a sacred space with the intent of meeting Jesus.
He wants to meet with you and spend time with you.
Take this moment to slow down, quiet your mind, and prepare your heart to connect with Him.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, I want to be a good neighbor.”
As you exhale, pray: “Help me to love like the Samaritan.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
(Luke 10:29–37, NLT)

Notice

What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread

Hear these words again — and notice who Jesus makes the hero of his story.

Meditate

Jesus makes a Samaritan the hero.
To a first-century Jewish audience, this would have been deeply offensive. Jews and Samaritans despised each other. They didn't speak. They didn't touch. They didn't share roads if they could help it.
And yet Jesus — telling this story to a Jewish expert in the law who was trying to justify himself — makes the Samaritan the one who gets it right.
Three people encounter the same wounded man on the same road. The priest sees him — and passes by. The Temple assistant looks at him — and passes by. But the Samaritan sees him, feels compassion, and stops.
Notice the difference. The priest and the Temple assistant saw the man. But the Samaritan felt something. Compassion moved him across the road.
And then he didn't just feel it — he acted on it. He bandaged the wounds. He used his own donkey. He paid for the inn. He promised to come back.
The expert's question was "Who is my neighbor?" — as if he could draw a boundary around his obligation to love. Jesus flips the question: "Which one was a neighbor?" The answer isn't about who qualifies for your love. It's about whether you're willing to cross the road.
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
Who is lying on the side of my road right now — and am I passing by, or am I willing to cross over and help?

Respond

Jesus, help me to love like the Samaritan. Give me eyes that truly see the people around me. Give me a heart that feels compassion. And give me the courage to cross the road — even when it's inconvenient, even when it's costly, even when it's someone I wouldn't naturally choose.

Exercise

The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Cross the Road
Today's habit is an act of deliberate mercy: identify one person you've been passing by.
Write their name down.
Then identify one specific way you can cross the road toward them today. Not a grand gesture — just one act of mercy. A conversation. A meal. A phone call. A moment of genuine attention. Something that costs you something.
Before you go, pray: "Jesus, I've been passing by _________________. I've seen the need but kept walking. Give me the compassion of the Samaritan. Help me to cross the road today — not because it's easy, but because You crossed every road to get to me."
Go and do the same today.

I have two asks of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today and check out the review of this podcast on Elevate Society?
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.