Care

“And Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?’” (Luke 6:11).

Christ Healing the Withered Hand (Tom Lybeck)

Every year, on New Year’s Eve, I make some resolutions for the following year.  Some years I manage to achieve them.  Other years I simply cannot.  There is nothing extraordinary in what I resolve to do.  They include things like – keep my husband and children happy, be a better daughter and sister, try harder at work, maintain my temper and patience…

This year, as I was reflecting on what I should resolve, I came across this passage from the Gospels…

“On another sabbath, when He entered the synagogue and taught, a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched Him, to see whether He would heal on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and He said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?’” (Luke 6:6-11).Christ did not wait for someone to ask for help.  He observed others.  And that means that He was not thinking of Himself, but rather that He was thinking of others instead.  Imagine how much Christ thought of others – He though not only of their physical ailments – constantly looking to see who He could heal and help – but He understood their spiritual and emotional limitations – He knew what was in the minds of the Pharisees…

In being able to think about others, Christ was effectively able to help and direct people at every stage of life.  He was able to move people forward and ensure that they had the best possible chance at Salvation – by either healing them and restoring their hope, or educating them and providing them with the information that they needed to increase their understanding…

It was not just that Christ was on earth to do no harm – He was on earth to CARE about the harm being done.  And I have been thinking about that today – of all days – on this, the last day of the year!

How different that is from me…

Christ was never sitting there thinking about Himself.  He was never reflecting on the injustices performed against Him.  He did not think about His neighbours to judge them as compared with Himself.  Instead, He thought of THEM – He thought of ME…

Everything in Him was about others – caring for others, thinking of others, making things better for others.  Christ did not cry for Himself – not even during the agony of His Crucifixion – He cried for others, the widowed mother burying her son, the lost souls of Jerusalem, who are so loved by God.

And I have been thinking about this today, as I make my New Year’s plans…  Because I have been thinking about how much more I should care about those around me…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.