laikenmartin - This Simple Act

By definition Kindness is having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.

Kindness.

It’s so simple. Yet so important.

Titus 3:4-7

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Colossians 3:12-13

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Living a life of being kind to others is living like Jesus did. He showed that kindness to friends and strangers, to the lost and the broken, to the rich and poor.

Jesus touches the untouchable (Matthew 8:1-3)

“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

In one touch, Jesus breaks all societal laws and boundaries and touches the untouchable. He gives him the gift of kindness by becoming free of his leprosy.

Jesus spent time with the rejected (Luke 19:1-6)

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.”

Jesus’ kindness accepted Zacchaeus for who he was.

Jesus shows kindness to the suffering (Luke 8:40-48)

“Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.’ And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’“

Jesus doesn’t get upset for her touching him, but shows kindness to her and even calls her “daughter”.

These simple acts of kindness to the unsuspecting and undeserving shows the world that we are different and living for Jesus, who’s lovingkindness is greater than anything we could ever have.

Today.

My dear translator friend came back to the house. She had bought flowers for my team and I. I had not been feeling the best today. Stressed. Frustrated. And just not wanting to face the day. But that simple act of kindness was clearly from the Lord. And I don’t deserve nor did I suspect it.