Minutes of Mercy

Peter and John have left the empty tomb leaving Mary Magdalene standing alone in grief and unanswered questions. Refusing to walk away, Jesus meets her in her tears. Although she doesn’t recognize Him at first, everything changes when He calls her by name! Her personal encounter turned into a public testimony of the Risen Lord!

Ashamed and avoiding the crowd she came to the well to draw water alone. One personal encounter with Jesus, He uncovered her story, met her need, and transformed her mess into a testimony that still rings today! “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”- Jn. 4:29

When the crowd has crowded you out and life is chaotic, Jesus still sees, hears and responds. No one who comes to Him in faith is ever lost in the crowd!

Surrounded by a noisy crowd, Jesus took time to stop for one blind beggar who cried out for mercy and asked for healing. The crowd tried to quiet him, but Jesus stopped for him, called him near and took care of him. Take heart today that in the midst of this crowded, noisy world, Jesus takes time out for our cries and our needs.

It’s so easy today to feel like just another face in the crowd. Through Scripture though we clearly see God’s heart for the individual and their needs. Even in the large crowds, Jesus would take time to stop for the individual who had a great desire for Him. Today we see that Jesus notices who others ignore. In the midst of a large crowd, Jesus knew where Zacchaeus was, knew his name, brought Himself near, and took care of his greatest need!

Sometimes our highest view of God and best lessons learned are at the bottom! You can recall hope even at rock bottom!

When we live for the approval of others, we give up being the servant of Christ that we are called to be! May we all determine that our lives will be lived for God!

Psalm 45:8 paints a beautiful picture of the King whose garments carry the fragrance of myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Fragrances that remind us of His sacrifice and healing! Wherever the King is, His presence is unmistakable. His work leaves a mark on every life it touches!

When God’s promises seem distant, delayed, or even like they’re not going to come true, we’re reminded by Jeremiah to look to Jesus! The greatest promise that was kept perfectly gives us the confidence that all others will be as well!

This life will take its toll and wear us out on the outside in a variety of ways. Our God though does His greatest work on the inside! Don’t quit, be renewed day by day!