I believe it is vitally important that we avoid using the words ‘I know how you feel’ to a parent who witnessed the death of one they brought into this world, raised, nurtured and loved, only to see their life prematurely taken. This is especially true if we never went through the exact scenario. Please don’t exit the devotional because you fear being saddened by it, but instead let’s meditate on the example given to us by Jesus in our Scripture today.

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2021-10-21
WRITTEN AT: Kissimmee, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 23:26-30
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 26 …..The guards laid Jesus’ cross on Simon’s shoulders and forced him to walk behind Jesus, carrying his cross.
27 Massive crowds gathered to follow Jesus, including a number of women, who were wailing with sorrow over him. 28 Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. You should be weeping for yourselves and your children. 29 The day is coming when it will not be the women with children who are blessed but those who are childless. Then you will say, ‘The barren women are the most fortunate! Those who have never given birth and never nursed a child—they are more fortunate than we, for they will never see their children put to death!’ 30 And the people will cry out for the mountains and hills to fall on top of them to hide them from all that is to come.

APPLICATION: I am convinced that God knows what we need, and when we need it. Lord willing, my wife and I will attend the funeral of a 17 yr old son of a great friend of ours later today. The boy was shot in his face, and lived by way of machines for just about 5 days. As I read the Scripture this morning, and reminded of all that Jesus endured, for our sake, it seems like He wanted the women who wailed for Him along His path to Calvary, to know that days will get even worse – to the extent that some women will be happy that they never had children. It is very interesting that as we watch the evening news we tend to say the same thing to one another: ‘surely things can get no worse’. My greatest desire is that no matter how much worse things might get, I pray that God can still smile as we show the kind of compassion Jesus showed to the women who mourned as He passed by. Can’t you imagine that these women were probably related in some way to some of the Pharisees who demanded the death of Jesus? Yet they were sad about what was ahead for this man of God. He did nothing but heal, teach, feed and love on the people, yet there were charges trumped up against Him to insure that He was removed from society. Today I believe that God is challenging us in two ways, based on this Scripture:
1). Aim to be honest and loving to mankind, and never like the Pharisees who were determined to get rid of Jesus because of the good He did in their community. You may say that you would never imitate the Pharisees, but let me ask you to consider: How much do you promote the work of the Lord in your community? How much do you encourage your local pastors and church leaders to continue the work of the Lord in your church and community? Do you attend church regularly so you could support and encourage others in their walk with the Lord? To tear down your pastor, your church and your friends from an honest relationship with the Lord, is as bad as what the Pharisees did to Jesus. Do you read your Bible daily so you could be encouraged and led by the words of Jesus?
2). Be compassionate to others, like Jesus was – even on His way to Calvary. Are you able to do this in the presence of your enemies, or those who despitefully use and abuse you? It is always easy to be like Jesus when in the presence of our friends and family, but I believe that Jesus can give to us strength and boldness to also follow His example when confronted by evil, hatred and revenge. It becomes a whole lot more obvious that God is working through us in those cases.
I sincerely believe that Jesus would wish for us that we would never be faced with hatred, anger or sin of any sort. But I also believe that Jesus would wish that we all stand ready to display the character of Jesus in everything we do or say, regardless of our circumstances. Please consider connecting with God again today my friend, and draw close to Him, be used by Him, and honor Him in all that you do, so that He may be lifted up, praised and glorified!

BLESSINGS NOTED: Jesus showed compassion even on His way to Calvary where mankind showed their greatest act of hatred and revenge on One who loved them and cared for them. Oh that we could show the same compassion on those in our circle who need to see Jesus in action.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I am reminded of something that Paul shared – it often feels like two opposing forces are at work in us. We know that You would have Your children love like You loved; embrace everyone just like You showed mercy to all; and help everyone along just like You gave each of us strength and encouragement to go on each day. However, Satan is also tugging at us to promote his evil habits. Please teach us to pray each day for strength to overcome the evil one. Please help us to read Your Word each day for encouragement and wisdom from the Great I Am. Oh Lord, I believe that greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. May we be convinced of that in every scenario of life. AMEN!