I saw something this morning, something I’ve missed a hundred times before while reading this passage of Scripture. I didn’t mean to come across it; it simply came across me—my heart and my thinking, and I am deeply moved by what I discovered. This morning in my reading, I saw the kindness of God displayed in a way I’d not seen it before; not just once but twice.
First in his astute observation of the situation. Secondly, with his answer to the situation.
Let me explain. It would be so much easier for me to tell you this via a video, even as I told my Bible study group this evening, but alas, videos take a ton of time to upload, and I’m afraid my energy reserves are at an all-time low. Thus, this is my quick attempt at sharing some truth with you that personally means so very much to me this night. I believe that someone needs the witness of the Word, even as I have needed it.
Our Jesus is kind. He tends to our needs, our questions, and our pains as they come to him; sometimes even before they move from our lips to his ears in the form of a prayer. Did you catch that here? Did you read that even in the midst of the disciples’ tremendous grief and confusion regarding Christ’s soon and certain departure, Jesus interrupted their pain with his answer? He didn’t wait for them to get around to asking the question—about what he meant when he said “in a little while.” He saw, in advance, the troubled nature of their hearts and interjected his witness into the mix. This is a tender, first kindness from Jesus to the children he loved back then… the children he loves still.
The second kindness he offered them was one of words. Five seemingly insignificant words that, when spoken by the Creator, have the capacity to change the direction of all hearts in a single pause.
“I tell you the truth…”.
It really doesn’t much matter the answer that follows. Well, it does to a degree. Christ clearly interpreted the meaning behind his words for his followers that day. But the truth is, when Jesus says, “I tell you the truth…”, you and I can take whatever words that follow to the spiritual bank. His truth is the lavish gift of all heaven; it keeps us, moves us, emboldens us, and points us in the right and good direction. This is a loving, second kindness from Jesus to the children he loved back then… the children he loves still.
Oh would you, Father, tell us the truth? For we are a people surrounded by temporal lies that are eating us alive. Everywhere we turn, every road we travel, everything we see, is littered with a scheme from the enemy to keep us as we are—confused, tormented, consumed by tragedy, blanketed in pain. We are up to our necks with the world’s version of “truth,” and we are drowning in its deception.
Are there any greater two kindnesses we could receive from our God today?
One—his intervention of an answer to our questions even before they are asked, and…
Two—the witness of his truth?
I wish so very much that I could sit with you in contemplation of our Father’s kindness. Something tells me he would be well pleased with the conversation, for where two are three are gathered in his name, he promises to come alongside and interject his thoughts into the mix. When God is the topic of our many words, he bends low to listen; he moves in to make sure we get it right. Get him right.
God is right, and he is kind, and his love for us extends reason and limits. It extends all the way from a moment 2000 years ago to right now, this day, when the truth of his Word still stands as the truth for all seasons. How I love God for interrupting my day with the witness of his kindness! May his kindness reach you this day as well. As always…
peace for the journey,
So thankful for the Truth of His Word. I love the message you shared here Elaine. What an awesome and wonderful Savior we serve.
Love to you – Beth
Beautiful message…touched my heart….
Beautiful and much needed.
Thank you
Love to you
Kelly
I love how God covers us in His truth day by day while being washed in His grace.
Thank you, Elaine. How I needed to hear that word today. THE TWO-FOLD KINDNESSES of God, I would call it. He sees our thoughts from afar and hears our words long before we have articulated them and goes ahead of us in all things. How I love that about our God!!!
Blessings,
Gladwell
wifeforthejourney:
What a marvelous gift of God's grace, that he would take notice of our doubts and fears.
Grace because God has infinate patience for our endless questions and questioning of His motives and purpose.
Grace because of each day he withholds his judgement is another day for us to believe his Word is true.
Grace because even when we have resisted and rebeled against his high calling, he calls us still.
Thanks be to God for his marvelous gift of grace, and his grace to me through my wife!
Love you,
Billy
If there is one thing that my Jesus has shown me over these last months, it's His extraordinary kindness. Frankly, I've been completely blown away by it.
He anticipates our needs and blankets us with truth. It doesn't get any kinder, any sweeter, than that.
Hugs this day,
Melinda
Two Kindnesses:
"One—his intervention of an answer to our questions even before they are asked, and…
Two—the witness of his truth?"
That is beautiful Elaine. I needed to be reminded today that He is kind. And you definitely did that. Thank you!
It is hard for me to wrap my brain around God's grace and the depth of his love for me. I try to relate to it as a parent – comparing it to the love I have for my children, but he loves us so much more.
Thanking God for the truth of his Word, and his wondrous love.
i totally agree with you and king david,
who said, "Thy lovingkindness is better
than life!"
Elaine,
I think for me, more than anything was for Jesus to say: I tell you the truth.
You see, I was raised and surrounded in lies, lies one on top of the other. Smothered in them, and for the longest time I hungered for someone to speak truth and not lies.
I still do to this day, I would much rather be around others that are vulnerable, real and honest.
Love to you!
Yolanda
How I would love to sit down with you and chat about God's truths!
I am needing the Lord's Lavish Love today.
Thank you friend for being a vessel.
Hugs,
K
Oh Elaine…His kindness has reached for me today. Before I called, He prepared..He answered…and He's made a way. My trip is on. Not as an escape, but as an oasis. The kindness of God. He has interupted my pain with His provision. My road has felt "confused, tormented, consumed by tragedy, blanketed in pain."
His Word still stands as the truth for all seasons. The winter in my soul is seeking Him,
Joy
Wonderful post Elaine!! His kindness is just beyond our comprehension and the only way we can even come close to understanding it is to just receive it!!! Thank God that He is kind!!!! Oh Thank God!!!
I am so glad I came by and read your writings today.Yes, He is kind.
Thank you for sharing the lovely post, Elaine, a beautiful reminder of God's kindness!
Jesus I sure do love you!
That's one of my favorite passages. Thanks for sharing your take on it. I love how He brings things at such a personal, intimate level to us, revealing His heart to the depths of our soul.
What would we do without the truth that sets us free?
He truly is the way that leads us to the truth that leads us to life.
Oh friend! I needed this today. thank you for sharing.
He is the truth and He is good! B
His kindness… A topic I've been trying to write about since it hit me in the face during discussions in our Sunday School class. His kindness has occupied my thoughts all week as I've contemplated Scripture in Hebrews 4:14-16. His kindness…something I've been amazed by since January 14, 2008.
Could I just say AMEN as all of these comments have said… what a beautiful thought, 2 thoughts… He gave you and in turn, us. It melts all of the peripheral things that are tugging… away, and we see Jesus so clearly, He knows our need to hear Him express in the kind and perfect way that He does.
Thanks Elaine!
Sonja
Thankful that we can take His Word to the spiritual bank. Oh that I would always believe He tells me the truth! I know that I know that I know (smile) that He is kind and good and worthy of my trust.
He IS kind indeed!
By the way, the word verification for this is "abler"! He IS abler, too.
What comfort in knowing that His truth still stands — that it is a truth for all seasons… How firm our foundation!
"He saw, in advance, the troubled nature of their hearts and interjected his witness into the mix."
May I simply interject an "Amen!" here?
He never leads us in mystery or obscurity. I love it that He goes before; He comes behind. What kindness! What provision!
A good word, friend. A good word.
Kathleen
Just this morning I prayed for an extra measure of discernment so I could see through all the deception to God's truth.
Just read this chapter yesterday! I was also taken by the exchange He had with them about speaking figuratively versus literally.
"…the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father." vs 25
"His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!" vs 29
It was as if a switch went off in their heads! The revelation of God!
Thanks for sharing this today… this passage is not seared into my heart and mind!
Hey Mrs. Elaine:) This is a great concept, like in Psalm 139 I think, He knows our thoughts before we think them, He is acquainted with all our ways. He's so into us, He knows how many hairs are on our heads, Lord knows, I am glad He loves us that much!:)
Blessings to you today,
katiegfromtennessee
Truth. You write what I believe only I could never express it the way you do. All I can say is a hearty AMEN!!!!
I would love to be in that circle with you delighting in Jesus!
This is absolutely beautiful Elaine. My heart wrapped around every word.
I'm so incredibly thankful for the kindness of the LORD and His truth that often words escape me and it is then my tears and groans in the Spirit of God best expresses my heart toward Him.
Love you.