Holy kindness.
A few years ago I saw a series of commercials which pictured random acts of kindness. Each display of kindness caught the attention of someone, and in turn, this viewer passed on some form of kindness to another individual. How wonderful to know that an expression of care for a person has the potential to build and grow and spur others on to great ethical generosity.
But what if you knew that each act of kindness would be met with disdain and even harassment? What if your courteous nature was considered appalling to some in the crowd? What if your kind gestures created envy? Would you still be as inspired toward charitable actions? How would you act? Would you stall out and wait for “better timing?”
Jesus seized opportunities for kindness even when there was blatant opposition in attendance. In Matthew 12:1-14, Jesus is confronted by the religious elite for his care of individuals in need; they cared more about rules than people. Jesus does not balk or hesitate. He moves forward with gentle strength to give kindness because someone else is in need. And I really admire Jesus’ willingness to march into a potentially hostile environment (“their synagogue” - Matthew 12:9) in order to deliver a kind deed to one human soul. He knows he will be confronted, and yet Jesus combines wisdom and love so that one particular man’s obvious handicap is removed. Jesus’ kindness turns the Pharisees toward hatred and a desire to kill him.
I wonder if their reaction is envy? Envy is a resentful longing aroused by someone else’s qualities (Oxford dictionary). What did they envy or resent? It seems they resented his generous actions toward those they considered “lesser” people. The Pharisees viewed themselves as elite, learned, and accomplished in the Jewish religious system. Other persons fit into lesser categories as beings who were plagued by inadequate education and a reduced capacity to stick to the rules.
Under their religious regime, these Pharisees would receive recognition and acclaim for their rule-keeping ability. Rabbi Jesus came along and they expected equal recognition from him, but he gave them none. Instead, he challenged their own view of themselves. His truth-telling left them naked to God’s justice and unguarded from his holy critique (Matthew 23:13-39). Jesus seemed to be more concerned about saving the rabble and the less accomplished. He appeared genuinely concerned for those who were ill-equipped to achieve rank and status in the Jewish religious system. Jesus came with a fresh concern for the person in need and their old system of aggrandizement quickly deflated. They envied those past forms of recognition. They longed to be reunited with the laurels of their religious accomplishments. What about us?
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, . . . we lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. // Titus 3:3-5
I get the Pharisees’ position; it’s nice to be recognized for something you do. It is enjoyable to sit above the crowd and feel important and accomplished. But that is not the basis of reality in God’s kingdom. We all are sinners - no hierarchy. This reality must be applied to each human, and its sharp point zeroed in on the Pharisees. There is no God-recognized form of religious elitism. We cannot harken back to a day of accomplishment and expect Jesus’ recognition, because the reality is we have “all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all envy such recognition; but it’s the kindness and love of God that we really need.
Jesus lets the Father’s love for humanity determine his modus operandi. He operates with wise, calibrated actions so that needs are met and blessings are dispersed.
What are your needs? He works to meet them. What blessings must be allotted to you today? The kindness and love of God has appeared; Jesus embodies holy kindness. We do not earn it. We cannot accomplish it. We admit the reality of our shriveled souls and the kindness of Jesus awakens souls to real life.
May God bless you today!
Pastor Al