Kind Words

Who among us does not appreciate a kind word?

In today’s fast paced world, words of encouragement are increasingly rare.

Words of gratitude seem even rarer.

With each passing day, we get busier and busier.

Thoughts of lifting each other up seemingly fall by the wayside.

Even the simple act of saying “Thank you” seems to be dying away.

Yet a kind word or a simple “Thank You” can make a tremendous difference in someone’s day.

As Good Friday approached, I thought about this.

I also thought about the kindest words of all.

Those words were the ones spoken by Jesus as he hung on the cross.

Words that He spoke while crucified between two criminals.

Words that He spoke while others cast lots for his garments.

Luke 23:34 (ASV) – And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.

Jesus had already suffered abandonment, humiliation and torture.

Still, He had these kind words, words of forgiveness, for all.

Jesus would have more kind words before His ordeal was over.

One of the criminals hanging there with Him asked Jesus for a special favor.

He asked Jesus to remember him.

Jesus responded with these kind words.

Luke 23:43 (ASV) – And He said to him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.

Those kind words of His forgiveness also apply to us today.

So do the kind words of His promise.

They are kind words of forgiveness and promise that reach across the centuries to us today.

What will our response be?

Hopefully will we make the time say, “Thank You, Jesus!”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com