Back when I was helping run conferences for a local ministry, the staff and volunteers would aim to start each morning with a time of prayer before we got started and let all the attendees in the doors for the day. This was sometimes a challenge because the doors usually weren’t locked, so there was no real way of keeping people out. Sometimes we would just have random attendees join us for our morning prayer, which was cool in its own way simply because we are all part of the body of Christ and everyone is able to contribute in their own unique way even if they aren’t on the official ministry team for a certain event.
At any rate, one morning we finished praying as a group, and a volunteer had some physical issue they needed prayer for, so I prayed for him or her and the pain left. One of the attendees standing there then also requested prayer because she had back pain that was bothering her. I prayed for her and the pain immediately left, which I thought was pretty good, but what she told me next really touched my heart.
After thanking me for prayer, she told me that she had been praying on the way to the event for her back pain to go because she didn’t want to have to take narcotics and have her mind muddled from pain meds while listening to the message. When I prayed for her and Jesus healed her back, it not only fixed her problem, but it made it so she could be alert and mentally focused for the message that session.
I love all of the cool things that God does when believers gather together, and conferences are usually a great time to see Him move in exciting ways, but some things stick out to me far more than others. This one stuck with me because it is such a poignant and yet exceedingly simple demonstration of the kindness of Jesus.
For ongoing followers of my blog, you already know that one of the things about God that touches my heart the most is His kindness, and one of the ways I see that most blatantly revealed is when He manifests divine healing. Of all of the attributes of God that could totally overwhelm me, if I had to pick a single attribute that first comes to mind, it isn’t his holiness, although that would be overwhelming too. It isn’t his justice, or his goodness, or even His love, all of which could fit the bill. The kindness of Jesus cannot be overstated, because His kindness is a manifestation of His incredible and inexhaustible love.
Author Max Lucado is one of my dad’s favorite authors, and he explains this in a way that I really like. In a blog article on this same subject (https://maxlucado.com/listen/the-kindness-of-jesus/), he put it this way: “We are quick to think of Jesus’ power, his passion, and his devotion. But those near him knew and know God comes cloaked in kindness. ‘Love is kind’ writes Paul. David agrees, ‘Your lovingkindness is better than life’ (Psalm 63:3).” While I can’t pretend that my life is always perfect, I am always certain that God’s kindness toward me will never run out, and that’s something I can rest in.
I pray that your life is touched anew with a revelation of the kindness of Jesus. What are some ways He has demonstrated His kindness in your life?
