A thought or five.

Jesus, son of man, Son of God. I should like to make this writing as simple as it was when it happened upon me.

As a follower of Jesus, I would be remiss if I neglected to search out the heart of my Savior in order that I may know Him fuller to know myself better, and be transformed in the image of His likeness. That being said, I can find Him in what is probably the easiest book to locate in the United States. The Bible. I often take for granted the ease at which The Lord has given me know Him more.

As I was searching the book of Mathew, in hopes to find His heart in the midst of the beautiful words on the page paralleled within the confines of my heart, I recalled a verse that I will first state to you, Romans 2:4. Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? This verse tells me two things, the first is clear in that the Lord is abundantly kind and patient. And the second, these things are intended to lead us to repentance.

Now. Back to Mathew. If one desires to find the compassion of sweet Jesus, he might turn to Mathew. Mathew tells of beautiful events that would bring tears to the sensitive man's eye. Healings, deliverances, compassion and love. Dead men rise, while other 'dead' men discover what it means to be alive. Oh, He is giving me the words.

Look, here: Mathew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Savior indeed!!

OK, later in Mathew, we see Jesus denounce the towns and rebuke them, these same towns where He was moved by His compassion to heal the sick and perform miracles by the Hand of the Father. Their eyes witnessed miracles, but perhaps their hearts harnessed pride. Mathew 11:20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

Wow. Wow! It is here I find that the direct acts of His compassion intended to lead the people to repentance take their toll when the people actively rejected the opportunity He provided them to repent. OK, it's official rebuke time.

Mathew 11:17 We played the flute for you and you did not dance, we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.