Touching Others With Mercy, Compassion, and Christ
Thursday’s Verse:
From Romans 12:15 NIV
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Yesterday, we meditated on Jesus's call to us as the “salt of the earth”. Today, we’re going to unpack that thought just a little bit more.
A true indicator of the Christian life is rarely observed in passionate speeches or pious public pronouncements. It is seen instead in the quiet act of entering into the joys and sorrows of another.
Paul’s instruction in Romans 12 is humble. But it flies in the face of our sinful inclination to compare ourselves with others. Someone else’s blessings can make us jealous rather than joyful. Someone else’s suffering can make us feel awkward so that we withdraw instead of drawing near.
But this verse paints a picture of what it means to live “salt-filled” lives. Salt preserves. Salt enhances flavor. Salt impacts the world by simply being present with others. This is what Christians do when we allow the love of Christ to flow through us, comforting and refreshing others' lives.
Jesus was the perfect example of this verse in action. He entered into the celebrations of weddings and well-done jobs. He also stood weeping at the tomb of Lazarus while friends mourned around Him, fully aware that Lazarus would walk out of that tomb in just a few minutes. Our Savior did not shy away from humanity's happiness or heartbreak. He embraced it.
And because Christ first loved us, we can love others freely. We don’t have to compete with others for God’s blessings. We can rejoice with those who rejoice, knowing that someone else receiving a blessing from God does not take away from the gifts you’ve already received. We can sit with someone in their sadness without feeling the need to fix things with fancy words. Often, just sitting quietly with someone who is hurting is the best witness of all.
This is part of what Jesus means when He tells us to be the salt of the earth. Christians add flavor to a flavorless world by seasoning everything we touch with the mercy, compassion, and love of Christ.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Merciful Father and Lord of life, empower me and all believers in Jesus Christ as Savior to show Your blessedness of our faith to all. In Your beloved Son’s name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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