We need a heart that draws us out of ourselves; a heart that forgets how we are treated and reaches out anyway! That is the kind of heart we see displayed by Jesus. Despite knowing what was in the heart of humanity (note John 2:24-25), His heart was drawn anyway. Why cannot our heart also be drawn?
Following Jesus’ recitation of woes concerning the Jewish leaders of the day, seeming to rise as the cry of His heart we read. . .
“(37) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (38) See, your house is left to you desolate. (39) For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”” (Matthew 23:37-39 ESV)
How can we read those words without picturing tears streaming down the cheeks of our Lord? Can we not sense the longing in His voice and the hurt of His heart in face of the unwillingness to respond to the blessing He came to provide? His heart was touched. His heart was broken. His heart was longing for the best for others. It was that heart which would speak from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 ESV) Paul even acknowledged that had the rulers known, they would not have crucified the Lord (1 Corinthians 2:8), even though that was the plan of the Father and the means by which we have received atonement for our sins.
If you will allow me to get very personal for a moment, what has given rise to this particular series of focuses [originally written in 2014] is having my own heart deeply moved. There are so many phases of ministry God has drawn me into which connect me with the lives of others in many varying circumstances and situations. One of those [again, at the time of this original writing in 2014] is my work with individuals who are homeless. These people have allowed me to connect with their lives, knowing that I am a Christian minister and preacher. Sometimes they ask for counsel and even prayer. Some just ask for another blanket and appreciate receiving that. Only God knows where some of this connection may ultimately lead, but my heart — even when hurt — keeps drawing me back to my interaction with these souls. Though we at times acknowledge how we hope we will react to certain situations, we might not always know how we will until they occur. Recently one guest I have actually known for a few years was just not himself and though our relationship has been fine, for some reason I seemed to be the target of his aggression that evening. Without going into detail, ultimately I had some physical pain inflicted on me that was witnessed by one of the shelter monitors. I did not immediately react, but stood motionless, looking at the other staff and volunteers who were close by. That physical pain, however, was completely overshadowed by the pain of my heart for this guest. I knew it was not him and yet I also knew he had committed a serious infraction of the rules. It was my co-chair of our shelter board who helped me verbalize that had it happened to anyone else I would not have stood for it. Being very thankful it had been me and not someone else, there was still no other choice but for this guest to lose his privilege of remaining at the shelter for this season. I did, however, receive some healing of heart the next evening when this guest stopped by to calmly apologize to me and I was able to let him know I was not angry with him nor held any animosity toward him, because I knew he had not been himself that night. He shook my hand, thanked me, and accepted the consequences of his actions. He continues in my prayers for the help and support he needs.
Though my wife does not like to think of me in any danger, she acknowledged she knew the incident would not keep me away. I thank God for developing such a heart in me to connect with others. We may all experience being mistreated. Our motives may often be misunderstood. Our efforts may go unappreciated. And we may experience the ache of our hearts more than the physical pain that might be inflicted on us by another because we have truly come to grips with the heart of Jesus that can sincerely say, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
As Jesus was carrying His cross and there were those who were weeping, Jesus urged them not to weep for Him, but for themselves and their children (Luke 23:28) because of the things which were to come. Due to the incident I have shared in this focus, there were fellow laborers at the shelter who were concerned for me. There were also some of our guests who shared their concern upon realizing what had occurred. I assured them I was fine and urged their concern to be toward the other guest, rather than me. May the Lord help us all to retain a heart that always wants the best for others regardless of what they might have done. The hope Jesus came to provide is not for us alone, but for all who will ultimately repent and follow Him. At the heart of how we live, let the selfless compassion of Jesus shine brightly to draw others to Him!
Have a great day LIVING THAT THE HEART OF JESUS MAY BE SEEN!
Carl
