Hello sweet friend,

As we move into the heart of Holy Week and experience Good Friday leading to Easter Sunday, I've had a few thoughts that I wanted to share.

When Jesus was in the middle of his 3 years with the disciples, one thing I've noticed over and over is that he had an extraordinary amount of compassion for people.

One story that comes to mind is just before he fed the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21.

To give you some background, his cousin, John the Baptist, had just been killed (beheaded) by King Herod. Jesus was really upset (as one would be) and he "withdrew privately by boat to a solitary place." Wouldn't you know, the people found out where he was and followed him on foot to where he was trying to get some peace. Suddenly, he was surrounded.

At this point in the story, can you relate? Probably not to your cousin being beheaded, but to just wanting some peace when instead, you're being pulled at to engage.

I remember when my kids were toddlers - they would follow me into the bathroom! :) Even today...my sweet Lovie (the dog) follows me anywhere - even when I'm just trying to get some privacy.

You know, most of us, when confronted by demands in the face of our desire for peace, would lash out and try to escape.

But what Jesus did was totally different. Verse 14 says, "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (emphasis mine). Compassion was his response. Then loving acts of service.

Now fast forward to his last night with his disciples. He'd had a pretty exciting week in Jerusalem, ending with dinner, another moment of service when he washed their feet, and then he grabbed a few of his closest friends and they went over to the gardens at the Mount of Olives to pray.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew the betrayal just ahead. He knew the pain and suffering he was going to go through. In fact, he begged his Father to find another way, to get him out of it. But then, in the dead of the night...

He saw Judas, accompanied by the religious leaders and guards, approaching. Most likely, he actually saw and heard them coming towards him with their lanterns and torches and weapons when they marched through the gates, into the garden and straight for him.

Of course, when confronted with this, his disciples just naturally got all angry and excited and one of them, Peter, grabbed his own sword and cut off the ear of one of the entourage.

So what does Jesus do?

Luke 22 tells us that when Peter went crazy, Jesus reached out and touched and healed the ear of that poor servant.

They are there to arrest him and put him to death, yet his response is compassion and a sweet act of service.

Oh my. When I read this again last night, I was so convicted.

I want to be the type of person who has a natural reaction of compassion and service.

I want to respond in love like this when things don't go like I want them to go.

--When I'm tired and anxious

--When I'm stressed over an unexpected difficulty

--When I'm frustrated because of someone else's choices.

Can I just have compassion first?

Can I just respond with love and compassion and look for ways to serve in the middle of it all?

That's my prayer for myself and my prayer for you too.

Most likely we won't be called upon to serve with our life like Jesus did. But I know the daily acts of compassion and service will go a long way towards being Jesus to our dark and troubled world.

Thankfully, we know the end of the story! And it has a good ending.

Yes, they put Jesus to death in the most horrible way possible.

And yes, on the 3rd day, we know he rose from the grave and thanks be to God, today we can joyfully say,

He is Risen Indeed!

Thanks be to God and Happy Easter!

With compassion, love and lots of encouragement,

Christy :)