Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5
The speeding SUV streaked past, changing lanes directly into the vehicle in front of us. Struck from behind, the aged pickup camper exploded in a hail of dust and debris and swerved onto the median.
My husband pulled onto the shoulder of the Interstate and stopped. Jumping out of our car, we crossed to where a young man stood next to what appeared to be a bundle of rags. Closer inspection revealed a tiny old woman, lying on her side, eyes closed. Down the road, a car headed in the opposite direction stopped, and a man got out, speaking to an elderly man who sat in the cab of the pickup.
The young man brought a pillow, and I found a torn blanket to cover the woman, who opened her eyes but didn’t speak. I stroked her shoulder and tried to warm her hands until the police and ambulance arrived. All this family possessed lay strewn across the highway. We gathered things together, stuffing tattered belongings into the cab of the pickup. The policeman loaded the young man into his car and the man accompanied his wife in the ambulance. How we wished we could do more.
Gentle Jesus
In John 8, Jesus acted with gentleness toward a woman the world scorned. The Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Him, attempting to accuse Him of breaking the law of Moses.
Silently, Jesus stooped and wrote in the dust with His finger, and said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” I would love to know what He wrote because as they read it, the men walked away one at a time until only Jesus and the woman were left.
Then Jesus asked her if anyone had condemned her. When she replied that no one had, He said, “Then neither do I condemn you … Go now and leave your life of sin.”
What a gentle rebuke to all concerned!
Jesus failed to name the accuser’s sins publicly, as they had done to the woman. Nevermind that they failed to condemn the man in the adulterous relationship. He did not rebuke the woman with the harshness the Pharisees wanted. Neither did He go against the Law of Moses as they expected. My guess is that the writing in dust listed the sins each man present had committed. A silent but pointed condemnation that proved they were as guilty of breaking the law as she was.
Gentleness Needed
Henry Drummond said, “The greatest thing a man can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to some of his other children.” Are we loud in our condemnation of others? Do we rejoice when someone we dislike is brought low? These attitudes seem to be the norm in the world right now.
Kindness and gentleness are lacking in our world today. Harsh condemnation, rebukes, and villainizing those we disagree with have become the norm. Admitting wrongs, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and asking forgiveness have gone by the wayside.
As a child of God, I must overcome uncharitable and selfish thoughts in order to treat someone with kindness. It’s what Jesus would do. It dishonors Christ to ignore someone’s plea when I possess the power to help. Yes, it costs us to be kind. We pay in time, humility, and sometimes money. However, the reward is everlasting.
Photos:
Image by Gordon MacDiarmid from Pixabay
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
Image by Mario Schmidt from Pixabay
Thanks for the reminder. Blessings.
God bless you, Diana!