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Over the past few days, the Holy Spirit has reminded me of two things that I think are important to our relationships with others: treating others as I want to be treated and seeing Jesus in every person I meet. I bet if I could see Jesus in every person I meet, I would love them with all my heart, cherish them, and most importantly, humbly respect them. It becomes even more difficult when that person is not good to you.

Luke 6: 32 to 36 says “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Jesus gave us many examples of how to be merciful and gracious. When some people were judged and persecuted by their community because of their sins, Jesus showed them mercy, acceptance, and forgiveness, which made them believe that He was the son of God. Jesus was able to see beyond these people’s actions. He knew they were sinners, but he knew that the best way to bring them to him was through acceptance, forgiveness, and love.

I believe that the people who mistreated, condemned, and mocked Jesus while looking Him straight in the eye would not have done so if they had truly known who He is. I guess they had regrets after finally knowing they had crucified the son of God as Matthew 27:54 says that the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Jesus did not look down on anyone. He was sitting with prostitutes, and tax collectors, he was even sitting with someone He knew was going to betray Him. He knew everyone’s past and future, their thoughts, and what they were going to do to Him yet He loved them all and was willing to die for them.

This is impressive! I bet you are wondering how you can behave like Jesus when the people around you seem to be doing only crazy things. The good news is that you are not called to do it alone. We have a helper who is the Holy Spirit, He knows all about God and is there to guide you and help you live a life that glorifies God every day of your life.

Prayer: Thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for loving me even when I did not deserve it. You know everything about me, good and bad yet You love me unconditionally. Help me to love the same way. Help me to be gracious and merciful to others. Help me to be quick to forgive and slow to anger. Help me to show your love to others, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.