It is good to be with you once again this week. I am doing well, and I hope that all of of you are safe and in good health.
In my country, the coronavirus pandemic is still bad. I live in a small state in the Midwest, and we initially didn't have too many cases. That has started to change. In spite of this, the state has decided to let a lot of businesses reopen. That has me concerned that a lot of people are going to get sick. Let us all pray that the virus will stop spreading, and let us pray that those who are sick will get well quickly.
Over the course of the last few days, I've been thinking about the compassion of Jesus demonstrated in the events of Good Friday. I am considering more than the fact that Jesus gave His life for the sins of the world when He died on the cross.
For instance, Jesus demonstrated great compassion for the women who were weeping for Him as He walked to Calvary. We read about this in Luke 23:28-34. Jesus said, "Weep not for me, weep for yourselves and for your children." Jesus recognized that if the people continued along the path in which they were going, the nation would face the wrath of Rome just as He predicted. He wanted the people to turn to Him and toward the path of nonviolence.
Jesus also demonstrated His compassion for those who were putting Him to death. He asked the Father to forgive them as they did not realize what they were doing. Jesus showed us the path of true forgiveness.
When Jesus was crucified, He was put to death with two thieves. One of them asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him that he would be in Paradise with Him that very day. Even in death, Jesus cared about comforting others and showing mercy.
Finally, we see Jesus demonstrating compassion for His mother who stood at the foot of the cross. Jesus placed the care of His mother in the hands of His beloved disciple John.
As followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to learn from the compassion of our Lord so that we might show compassion to others.
Next Thursday I will post more about the words and actions of Jesus. May God bless you all. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment