Kindness defined: sympathetic nature, manifesting a desire to do good.
However, Jesus takes kindness a step further and describes kindness to his listeners by sharing a very famous parable: The Good Samaritan. (Luke 10: 25-37)
Most of us know the story about a priest and a Levite (both spiritual leaders in the Jewish community) passing by a man who is injured from a robbery. Then a person from Samaria walks by and comes to the aid of this Jewish man.
Why is that so astounding? Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along to say the least. Jews didn’t consider Samaritans ‘pure’ because during the exile many married outside the Jewish faith. Past history also was fraught with disagreements which resulted in different beliefs and forms of worship. If you want to understand this hatred and how using a Samaritan as the hero in this parable was insulting to Jesus’ Jewish audience, check out The Unlikeliest Ally.
WHY DID THE JEWISH MEN NOT STOP TO HELP A FELLOW JEW?
There are many reasons: touching a dead body would make them ritually unclean and require a process to be clean again. And the men probably were not sure if he was hurt or already dead. He could die while they were helping him! Not worth the risk. Additionally, the robber might still be around, or was the man faking injury in order to ambush others? Perhaps it was as simple as the men were very tired and already late getting home where they were needed. Yes, so many logical reasons for not stopping.
A quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. sums up this parable beautifully:
” The first question the priest and Levite asked: If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me? The first question the Samaritan asked: If I don’t stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
OTHER EXAMPLES OF UNEXPECTED KINDNESS
In Exodus 2: 1-10, we read about an event that occurred long before Jesus lived on earth, even before God’s chosen formed a nation. The Israelites (Jewish people) were supposed to be living in Israel,(then called Canaan) but because of sin they ended up as slaves in Egypt. Despite their desperate circumstances, God made sure His people were strong and growing in number. Afraid of an uprising, the Pharaoh ordered all newborn Israelite baby boys to be killed.
Moses was born during this chaotic time, and was kept hidden as long as possible. Eventually, his mother put Moses in a basket by the river where she knew the Pharaoh’s daughter bathed. This young woman saw the baby, knew he was a slave’s child, but risked her father’s wrath by taking him in and raising him in the royal court.
Then there is the action of a Joseph of Arimathea. (Luke 23: 50-54) This man was a member of the Sanhedrin (a Jewish court system that served as a legislative and judicial body in ancient Israel) but showed kindness by providing a proper burial for our Savior. Joseph jeopardized not only his position, but possible persecution for caring about this man who was just executed by the Roman government and considered a threat by the Jewish leadership of which he belonged.
HOW DID JESUS’ PARABLE, PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER, AND JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA EXPAND ON THE ABOVE DEFINITION OF KINDNESS?
Kindness is thinking about the other person’s need and not our own. It requires sacrifice and should be shown even to strangers. Luke 6: 32-36 says:
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
KINDNESS IS RISKY BUSINESS
I never thought of kindness as being risky, but true kindness, Christian kindness is just that.
Consider Boaz who showed Ruth kindness. A person from a hated culture. Yes, it was a risk that turned out great for him. If you don’t know this romantic story, check out the short book of Ruth. It is a great read.
How about Dorcas? She sacrificed her life by sewing for the poor. Her charity and faith were on display during treacherous times to love Jesus. (Acts 9: 36-41)
Then there was Lydia. An established woman of means who offered hospitality to Jesus followers. Think that wasn’t a risk? Her guests were arrested! (Acts16: 13-15, 40)
IS MY KINDNESS TRUE KINDNESS?
I never associated kindness with risk, but after researching this fruit of the Spirit I realize there is much more to kindness then offhand and easily given compassion. Is my kindness true Jesus-like kindness? Is yours? Just something to contemplate.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
As always, respectful comments are welcome. Start a dialogue on this subject. Do you agree that kindness is risky business? If you haven’t read the other blogs on the Fruit of the Spirit, check out patience, peace, joy, and love.
