When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he knew that he was a tax collector and had taken too much money for himself. Jesus knew that Zacchaeus was unpopular and thought to be unrighteous by his peers. The Lord chose to look right at him and visit him. Without a word of condemnation or criticism, Zacchaeus repented. Love always wins over judgment.
One of Aesop's fables is about an argument between the sun and the wind. Each one claimed to be stronger than the other. The sun wanted to prove his point, so when he saw a traveler walking down the road, he said: "Let's settle our dispute by seeing which one of us can cause that man to take off his coat." The wind blew as hard as it could upon the man, but it only caused him to wrap his coat tighter around himself. Next, the sun shone brightly and warmly on the man and very soon he took off his coat. Kindness and compassion are victorious over harshness and criticism.
Sometimes, I'm in a situation where someone I know has done something wrong or behaved in an ungodly way. It is tempting to tell that person what I think, the moment that I think it, especially if it's someone close to me. For example, sometimes my husband comes home tired from work and then gets annoyed and angry with our children. In the early years of our marriage I would reflexively respond with criticism. But over time I've learned to wait for a quiet opportunity, after praying for him (not about him), and then speak to him patiently and kindly about what's bothering me. When he feels accepted, he is more open to my words.
It's hard to respond humbly when we feel judged, but when we feel loved and cared for, it's much easier receive correction. May God give us the wisdom to patiently show mercy as he has shown us mercy.
"But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace." (James 3: 17-18)
- 24 NOVEMBER -