Monday, November 7
Another reason…
Scripture: Nehemiah 3-4, Psalm 129, Luke 7
Luke 7:13–14 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, “Don’t weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”
Luke 7:47–48 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Observation
I love this chapter of Luke, and especially these two stories.
When Jesus saw a funeral procession for a widow’s only son, He had compassion on her and raised her son to life. Compassion.
When a woman of ill repute washed his feet with her tears, Jesus told a story and explained that she loved Him much because she had been forgiven much. Mercy.
Application
These two stories are another reason I love Jesus and I’m proud to follow Him. And they make me want to be more like Him: more compassionate, more merciful.
I’m so grateful that Jesus’ compassion and mercy are offered to me, and like the woman in the second story, they cause me to love Him more.
“Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8. As one who has received compassion and mercy, I must offer it to others. Sometimes this is hard—particularly when I think people don’t deserve it. Of course, neither did I. But I often forget that. So here’s my prayer:
Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing compassion and mercy to me…over and over again. It’s who You are. Now, make me more like You so that it is who I am also.