What Is Kindness?

As you read the passage for today, ask God to open your heart to the people that Jesus describes in it. Does one of the descriptions Jesus uses stir a strong reaction in you? Why do think that is? Do you sense resistance in you to one of the descriptions? Why might that be? Pay attention to what stands out to you and hold it before God in prayer:

Then the King [Jesus, the Human One] will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these siblings of mine, you did for me.’ - Matthew 25:34-40

The challenge this week is to go above and beyond what you might think of as ‘normal kindness’ and each day extend yourself to other humans in ways like Jesus describes in his parable. Is there one of those ways that stands out to you now? Is there a person who comes to mind as in need of some kindness? Perhaps part of your devotions could be to make a plan to be kind to them, and perhaps part of your devotions could be to then put that plan into action, knowing you will meet Jesus along the way.