Monday, March 10, 2014

Understanding the Tenderness of Jesus

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”  Luke 13:34  NIV

As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:41-42  NIV

   These words were spoken by Jesus shortly before His crucifixion – words of compassion and mercy despite the fact that those over whom He mourned were the very ones who would call for His death.  How deep is His love and mercy, how relentless His tenderness.  Relentless tenderness?*  It’s a strange pair of words since relentless can be defined as “harsh, stubborn, unyielding”.  Yet these seemingly opposite words show us the nature of Jesus.  His love and mercy know no bounds, and He pursues us all passionately, stubbornly, desiring that no one should be lost, that all should fully know His grace as shown by His death and resurrection.

    How have you pursued something relentlessly?  Perhaps while learning a new skill, mastering a sport, or chasing the person you thought might be “the one”?  Think about that this week and then spend time thanking God each day for His relentless tenderness toward you.

- SPA written by Nora Lasher

*(concept borrowed from Brennan Manning’s book The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus)

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