One day my little grandsons, Cole (age 5) and Mason (age 8), were playing with some toys in the playroom. All of a sudden, Cole started screaming, “I’m bleeding! I’m bleeding!” He held up one little finger with a tiny drop of blood on it.
His brother, Mason, shouted, “Shut up Cole! Jesus was bloody all over and He didn’t cry!”
After hearing this story from their mother, we all had a good laugh, but then I thought about the spiritual lesson from this story.
Christians in the United States sometimes cry over the smallest of injuries, while others in third world countries have been martyred for their faith in Christ Jesus. We are so soft and easily wounded by small incidents that are trivial.
Maybe we need to think about what happened to Jesus when He died on the cross for our sins. He took our punishment, so we could have eternal life. He was bloody all over for us. What have we done for Him? When things happen that hurt our feelings, do we go off and scream to others? What does this do to the body of Christi?
New Christians can be affected by our petty grousing and complaining. Do you love Jesus enough to let go of your hurt feelings in order to have harmony in the Church?
Memory Verse:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humilility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
-Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Father, forgive us for the times when we lose our focus on You. Help us to continue to overcome our human, imperfect nature and make us more like Your son, Jesus. Help us to think of the sacrifice made for us whenever our minds, hearts and mouths start to complain. Especially help us with our negative attitudes toward . . .”
Contributing Writer:
Ann Cornelius
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