What was it in Christ that moved Him to care as He did? He always rewarded faith and repentance, and He drew people to Him by His loving, merciful heart. Jesus loved people.  

After a sinful woman kisses His feet, weeps over them, and anoints them, He declares her sins forgiven. When a publican climbs a tree to see Him, Christ calls him down, invites Himself to lunch, and turns the man’s life around. Jesus delivers an adulteress from stoning. He arrests a killer of Christians on the Damascus road and gently tells him to quit kicking against the pricks.  

Let’s look at ourselves to see if we care as Christ did. Maybe our attitudes need to be transformed. We care as Christ did . . .  

. . . when we have a positive regard for every person we meet. Never do we express disgust for any prisoner of sin. Never do we call anyone hopeless.  

. . . when we stop evaluating someone’s worth. Everybody is worthy of our interest because we are all in the same boat and all unworthy. Jesus demonstrated love and concern for all.  

. . . when we are not possessive. No one is our trophy or our disciple. Christ released the sinners He healed and saved. “Thy faith hath saved thee. Go in peace.” The souls we have served will meet us joyfully in heaven.  

. . . when we demand no personal glory.  The glory belongs to God’s. We must never serve with self in mind.  

. . . when we love people right where they are. They need not meet our standard of behavior so we will love them. Jesus loved people where He found them.  

Reach out in love to others; go ahead and take the risk;    

The only thing we have to lose is our pride and selfishness.  

~ James Baer