Kindness

Good Friday – The Kindness of Calvary

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment 
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots. Luke 23:34 KJV

During the six long hours of the suffering of Jesus, He hung from nails driven through His hands and feet, and blood streamed down His face from the thorns that pierced His scalp. No one could have expected Him to do more than simply endure: But He did. Jesus was busy with an amazing number of things, and busy, not because He hoped to gain anything, but because His kindness and compassion was stirred up for those around Him. We can’t be sure of their exact order, but during those hours, Jesus promised the repentant thief, dying next to Him a place in paradise, He made sure that Mary would be cared for by His disciple John. In His agony, Jesus showed the world the love of God, so much so that as He died, one of the soldiers who had crucified Him, began to believe and confessed that He was the Son of God.

But of all the things Jesus did, none showed His kindness more than His final prayer “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!” Though prayed when He was at HIs weakest, that prayer is still being powerfully answered today. And today, on this Good Friday, If the sight of children starving in war-torn villages while evil dictators plan their next attack angers you, remember that in God’s kindness, lies an even greater power than guns and bombs. There is a stronger force than fear and hatred. And on that afternoon, when Jesus breathed His last, friend and foe alike thought that He was finished. And they were right! Jesus was finished paying the penalty for you and I – finished with taking away the sins of the world – finished with His Father’s mission for Him on earth but just beginning by kindness and love to change the course of history, one lost sinner at a time!

Gift of Kindness 12 Gifts – Day 2

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.  A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”…The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) John 4:6-7; 9 ESV

When we think of kindness we often think of giving, but kindness is really about sharing and sometimes sharing begins when we ask for help. Asking for help tells someone else that they have importance and value. Notice in the story today, just how amazed the Samaritan woman was, when Jesus asked her for a drink. “After all,” she reasoned, “I am just a woman, and a Samaritan one at that.! Because in her experience not only were women treated with badly, but Samaritans, in particular, were the object of racial discrimination by the Jews.

But then Jesus began speaking to her and offering a living water that He had for her to drink. Now, both a little startled and confused, she began asking some questions of her own. To her surprise, she found that, unlike other men she had known, He was patient and willing to listen.  At that moment, it was not His mighty works or miracles that unlocked her heart, but His kindness.  What greater gift we could give another than the kindness of Jesus, that says to them, “I have time for you, and you matter to me!” So on this second day of 12 gifts, why not ask, “To who can I give a gift of kindness today?” We won’t need to go searching high and low. Just leave the searching to God. He has a funny way of bringing us just the right someone if we’ll just sit down by a well and rest!

God of Kindness

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. 1 Corinthians 13:4

“You promised to take them on a picnic!” my grandfather boomed with his deep ship’s captain voice. “You must be kind and you have to keep your promises!” About a year after Nancy and I married we stayed for a few months with my grandparents while I was unemployed. I not only adored my grandparents but I asked to go there because my they were the only ones I knew would welcome us without question. So Nancy and I, along with our two month old son went there until I could get a job and save money for an apartment.

I was stunned to hear the anger and disappointment in my grandfather’s voice. What hurt the most was knowing that he was absolutely right. As a new husband and father I got the part about working hard, and being willing to sacrifice, but what I missed somewhere along the way was learning to be kind.

“I’m sorry!” I blurted out to my grandfather. “Don’t just tell me, tell them.” He answered lowering his voice just a bit. Then as he turned and began to leave  he stopped and added “Remember that a gentleman is always kind.”

Some fruits of the Spirit, like joy and peace can be enjoyed in solitude but for patience and kindness we need other people. Kindness is not just about me, it is remembering to keep my promises and get packed for the picnic today!