"A Fruit Called Kindness”

In Jesus Holy Name October 3, 2021

Text: Ephesians 4:32

“A Fruit Called Kindness”

They sat on opposite sides of the room, a man and a woman, bidding on an adorable puppy at a school auction. Others dropped off, but not this duo. Back and forth until they’d one-upped the bid to several thousand dollars. This was like the Wimbledon finals, and neither player was backing off the net! Finally the fellow gave in and didn’t return the bid. Going once, going twice, going three times. Sold!

You know what she did? Amidst the applause, she walked across the room and presented the puppy to the competition. (Max Lucado “A Love Worth Giving” p.29)

Suppose you demonstrated the same kindness to those you are having difficulty with. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Kindness should be displayed in the life of a Christian which is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. How kind are you? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family, got a blanket, cleaned off the table, loaded the dishwasher, prepared coffee without being asked? Maybe you let a stressed out mother with three children in the grocery store go in front of you.

Acts of kindness are gifts you give to others because Jesus has been kind to you. David wrote in Psalm 63:3 “Your lovingkindness is better than life”. Jesus left a message for his disciples in all centuries. “Let the little children come to me.”

Please note what Jesus did not say: "Tolerate the little children.." or "Put up with little children" or "Don't get angry with the little children who are coming to Me." Are you surprised? Of course you're not! Jesus would never say something as cold and callous as: "Tolerate or put up with the little children." His act of kindness changed the culture and our world.

The culture in the 1st century did not always respect children. Society merely

tolerated them. Maybe it is still the same in places like the Middle East or India or China that still has a one child policy, where girls are less valued.

Remember, survival for a youngster in the ancient world could be problematic. The Greeks and Romans would place their unwanted children alongside the road so nature might take its course. Or maybe some family might raise them in order to be slaves in a different household. Christianity changes the value of children, even in the womb.

You can see just how exceptional Jesus was. His statement is exceptional. He told His disciples to welcome little children. This is an act of kindness. "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not get in. "Exactly what does that mean?

Apparently Jesus wants us to figure out what quality our children possess that is so critical for entrance into heaven. "What do children have that we don't have when it comes to being part of the kingdom of God?"

This past week I searched commentaries but did not fine much help. One writer suggested: Children have a way of believing everything you say and believing it as fact. The currency of the kingdom of heaven is faith. Jesus is telling us, “have faith like a child". I think it is a good point.

One day several years ago, Max Lucado was out walking with his daughter. He asked if she knew where she was going and she said no. He asked if that scared her and she said “of course not – you are with me”. That is trust. The daughter knows her father loves her and will not let harm come to her. Jesus is asking us to have that kind of trust and faith as we walk with Him.

Kent Hunter in his book “Who Broke My Church” wrote: “salvation occurs by grace, through faith. Faith is a gift from God. Faith is trusting Jesus. Just because it’s a free gift to you does not mean it has no cost. It cost Jesus his life.

When I see Jesus Christ dying, the nails in His hands, the spikes through His feet, and the crown of thorns on His brow—when I see Christ suffering and dying—I see the love of God on display being poured out for our salvation. This is love, (“agape”, selfless love) that God has chosen to justify us by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. A gift of the Holy Spirit.

“Your acceptance before God is not a question of your efforts at being good, patient, kind, gentle, etc. or how well you did this week, how much you read the bible or prayed or resisted temptation. Your acceptance is always a question of what Jesus Christ has done for you. It is through His shed blood on the cross that you have made your peace with God. “ (Sweet, Jesus Speaks p. 102)