Jesus' behavior clearly shows that what ultimately changes people’s lives are relationships rather than rule books, mercy rather than moral demands.
Jesus’ teachings are so arduous, so distinct from prevalent human reactions and behaviors, that we have to regularly refresh our obligation to His challenges. We need to adjust our sensibilities to align more with His. Otherwise, we drift into self-righteousness and legalism, even to the point that we corrupt the very institution, which was created to worship Him and to love others.
The lesson from Jesus’ life and ministry is that understanding people’s situations and difficulties requires compassion and not condemnation.
The message of Christmas and the incarnation for us Christians is that all of us were once outcasts, broken yet loved, and worth reaching out to and redeeming.
If God did that for us, why do we find it so hard to do it for each other?
John 13:34-35 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
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