We must not forget (audio by Teresa Hampton)
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The Big Three
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Does anyone else find Ephesians 4:32 to be problematic? The call to graciously live out The Big Three (kindness, compassion, and forgiveness) is a very tall order. Try as I may, there are just some people who bring out the worst in me. Hence the reason Ephesians 4:32 is such a challenge. So, when my angry eyes come out, it is time to remind myself just how Jesus handled The Big Three.
In Matthew 8, Jesus encountered a leper, who according to Jewish law, was deemed unclean and cast out from society and family. But, as this leper approached Jesus, instead to retreating as society demanded necessary, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. What a remarkable gesture knowing the physical touch of Jesus was unnecessary. His deity held the power to heal with a mere word from a distance of safety. But kindness led Jesus to use tender physical touch on someone who had been void of human contact for so long.
John 4:4 records the puzzling words, Jesus “needed to go through Samaria.”(NKJV) Does it not seem odd that Jesus “needed to go” there when all respectable Jews avoided the country like the plague, fearing defilement? Jesus alone knew the significance His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well would hold. Jesus’ compassion offered validation to this dishonored woman who came to believe in the Messiah. She, in turn, brought many others to believe in Him. Without a doubt, the compassion of Jesus changed lives.
Forgiveness was what Jesus did best. Amazingly, the heart of Jesus offered Judas the identical respect he offered his other disciples, despite the fact he held knowledge of the integral part Judas would play in his horrible death. When Jesus, from the cross, looked down and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” I cannot help but think that in his heart, He held Judas in that prayer, too.
The leper craved the long-lost touch of kindness, the Samaritan woman thirsted for compassion, and Judas was left in tremendous need of forgiveness. Gratefully, these Big Three were the essence of who Jesus was and continues to be. Jesus met each person’s needs with the same great amount of love it required for Him to die on the cross for them.
Sisters, God calls us to be intentional in our relationships. He may summon us to minister at a critical time in a person’s life, and meeting their needs might mean an interruption in our schedules. Can we, like Jesus, respond to those interruptions with compassion? Meeting needs might mean we are called to minister to those who are at a very low point in life. But like Jesus, are we willing to meet people right where they are? Meeting needs will require us to love others regardless of their treatment of us. But like Jesus, can we have a love so great that we see beyond their actions?
Perhaps today, your encounter will be the first act of kindness someone has witnessed in a quite a while. Perhaps your compassion is what is needed to restore someone’s faith in mankind and in God. And, perhaps forgiveness you extend will allow you to fully know the forgiveness of a loving Father.
Father God, open our eyes to ways you call us to kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. And may we recognize the many ways you shower these Big Three upon us.
Rita Cochrane