Sometimes it’s easier to serve the poor and be generous with strangers than it is to be kind to my own family.
Is God pleased when I stand up for the oppressed, then turn around and belittle or yell at my children? Does it honor God when I bring an audience of hundreds to praise and tears, but neglect my mother, lonely in her empty nest?
I can blame ignoring the needs of those closest to me on my devotion, my commitment to the gospel, my care for the world. But that attitude is revealed for the lie it is, here in the eyes of Christ. Even in pain, even in death, there is no conflict between His obligation to His family and His Father’s will and plan.
In Jesus’ care for His mother in these last minutes of His life, I see the heart of a son, a good and loving son. And I see the heart of God.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)
When have you been tempted to use religious obligation or the need to do “good things” as an excuse to neglect caring for those closest to you (things for which there is no applause or even thanks)?
Orphans and widows were the 2 of the most vulnerable populations in New Testament times, people for whom there was no societal safety net. Think about the vulnerable people in your own neighborhood or city, people for whom there is no safety net. What could you do to care for vulnerable people this week, in Jesus name?
Every day between now and Good Friday, come back here to find a devotional on one of the last statements of Jesus from the cross, as well as an invitation to slow down and meet Jesus at the foot of the cross.
I’ve compiled all of these posts into a PDF for my subscribers. If you’d like a copy of that, you can sign up here.
Renee Davis Meyer 