Decisions

Decisions.....

To me we are all a couple of bad decisions away from a life we could never see having. Yet somehow as a people we often forget and look down on people we think have lesser value. The truth is one bad decision leads to another and you can be that homeless person you scoff at outside the grocery store. Or the person in jail that doesn't really know how one night ended up so bad. One of the attributes of Jesus I feel we miss is his compassion. Time after time Jesus has compassion.

There is a bible story I hold very dear to my heart. It is of Mary and the alabaster box.

Luke 7:36

 ^36-39One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."

 ⁴⁰Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

   "Oh? Tell me."

 ^41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"

 ^43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

   "That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

 ⁴⁸Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."

 ⁴⁹That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"

 ⁵⁰He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." 

To me not only do you see Jesus showing compassion but also love and forgiveness. Here is a woman that by standards of man is unforgivable and should hide in shame. Yet Jesus forgave her and gave her peace of mind. 

In my opinion we all fall short and my sins are no different then that of a town harlot. It's simply what is more socially acceptable. So as a people can we love the Jesus in the next person. You may not like their decisions and where they've taken themselves but the love of Jesus can bring them back. You can be that difference to show them how deeply Jesus has reached you. The simplest act can change a persons life. A simple smile a hello in passing noticing someone is hungry and coming out of the store with a sandwich for them. Shoot just sharing a meal if that's all you have. A common misconception is that only pastors have the power to reach another human being. So not true!!! Jesus lives in you!!! Each one reach one. You have that power placed inside of you to help change someones course. Give them the second chance Jesus gave you.

So I beseech you take care of those that need that extra care. Share the love of the Lord with them. Tell them Jesus loves them in spite of all their wrongs. Don't be ashamed of the knowledge that pulled you out from your fiery pit no matter how different the sin. Man sometimes a sin didn't even get a person in their situation were not the ones to judge were suppose to love.

For the Jesus in me LOVES the Jesus in YOU!!! no matter who you are, where your from, and what you look like.