Matthew 20:34 “Jesus had compassion on them….”
In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his most iconic hit, Love Me Tender. Funny I would recall those lyrics as I think of broken people still asking, “Does anyone love me?” Are we reflecting the compassion of Jesus?
Tenderheartedness has staying power. The memory of my Grandpa Creech standing at his picture window, waving a teary goodbye as we went our separate ways, remains a poignant symbol of what tender-heartedness looks like. And not without consequence—his tenderness unmistakably directed me to a Heavenly Father watching over me with the same compassion. And it’s probably why I run to the front of our house for one last wave goodbye when our kids drive out the lane.
Even secularists recognize the power of tenderheartedness. As writer Henry James noted, there are three important things in human life: “The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” A soft look or word can transform a hurting soul. Yet tenderhearted kindness doesn’t seem to be the virtue of choice in today’s world of wary cynicism.
Jesus exuded a tender heart. The Gospels portray his compassion toward a widow who had just lost her only son (Luke 7:13). He felt pity for the crowds who followed him three days without food (Mark 8:2). Compassion moved him to touch the eyes of blind men, heal the sores of lepers and weep over the “harassed and helpless” people of Judea (Matthew 9:36). And when he stood over Jerusalem, he lamented over their unwillingness to find shelter beneath his wing (Matthew 23:27).
A lot of things have changed over the years, but the longing of every human being to receive loving kindness isn’t one of them. Just as my grandpa’s tender heart led me to the very source of kindness, so Jesus wants to use our tender hearts to touch the wounds of hurting people. Bruised and hardened people who are watching hope drain from their souls like leaking buckets.
What an opportunity as we begin a new year for us to show them how Jesus does love them tender…and he always will.