Simple Act of Kindness

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple too her to his own home. John 19:25-27

I find it amazing that even as he is dying on the cross, while enduring such pain and torture, Jesus still takes care of his mother and friend. Jesus made sure that his mother, who was a widow, and John, his closest friend, would take care of each other after he was gone. Jesus was thinking of others instead of himself. Jesus was always helping others, even while hanging on a cross. This simple act of kindness is so overwhelmingly mind-boggling to me! 

When we are starving, or exhausted, or grieving, or hot-tempered, or suffering in pain or hardship, what is the first thing we do? Is our first thought to be kind to others? or do we immediately lash out at the person closest to us, only to regret it later when we are more in our right mind?

On the other side of the coin, when someone lashes out at us, are we forgiving them because we are thinking of the troubles they must be going through? or do we judge them harshly, hold a grudge, or hate them for offending us? 

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

"Honor your father and your mother" Exodus 20:12

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

"For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." 2 Corinthians 1:5