Compassion Unleashed

So, I heard a story today that created a burning inside me. A friend told me about a pastor who was giving a sermon about compassion, and he stated some people who deserved compassion and then suggested that homosexuals do not deserve compassion because they choose to be homosexual. And though he did not go there, if you keep spreading that out anyone who chooses to sin would then not deserve compassion.

Now, no matter what your view on homosexuality or any other sin let me tell you right now that Christians are meant to show compassion to every person who breathes air. Jesus did not come as a baby, live and teach and die so that we could not be compassionate to people.

Jesus stood in front of [well actually he bent over and drew in the sand] a woman accused of adultery and told her accusers that the one who was sin-free could throw the first stone. Jesus hung out with tax collectors and spoke with Samaritans the ancient world equivalent of homosexuals and terrorists. Jesus said that whatever you have done unto the least of these you have done unto him. Jesus said that it is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jesus said love you neighbor, and your enemy. Jesus said, Jesus said, Jesus said.

Nothing makes me angrier than men and women who are bound by Jesus' teachings and instead preach hate and division. I don't care if you have a seminary degree or you turn tricks on the street corner, you are my brother and my sister and I will treat you as such, that is what Jesus commands, and that is what I believe.

If I am honest I am not perfect at this. I sometimes say things I shouldn't when someone in front of my doesn't use their turn signal. I tend to judge parents who stand on a skinny ledge holding their newborn. I have my fair share of anger and resentment, but I have never and I will never stand behind a pulpit and say that Jesus does not love anyone. Jesus is better than me and better than you, Jesus died to show how much he loved us. I send up a prayer of forgiveness for myself and any minister or follower that have spread hate instead of love, that have spread division instead of unity, that have spread fear instead of understanding.

Father forgive us all because too often we still do not know what we do.

Peace and Love,
Pastor K