In the teachings of Jesus, kindness is a virtue that is emphasized through acts of compassion, mercy, and love towards others. While Jesus’ teachings are spread across the Gospels, a few verses explicitly capture the essence of kindness as taught by Him:
- Luke 6:35 (ESV): “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.”
- Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV): “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ … ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
- Matthew 5:7 (ESV): “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Three Main Takeaways:
- Kindness is Unconditional: Jesus teaches that kindness should be extended to everyone, even to those who are deemed enemies or those who may not seem to deserve it. The act of loving and doing good without expecting anything in return highlights the unconditional nature of true kindness.
- Kindness in Action: The teachings of Jesus emphasize that kindness is not just a feeling or sentiment but is demonstrated through tangible actions. Feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, and visiting the sick are examples of how kindness manifests in acts of compassion and mercy towards others.
- Kindness Reflects Divine Character: By being kind, especially to the ungrateful and the evil, we mirror the character of God Himself, who is kind to all. It’s a virtue that elevates us, drawing us closer to the divine by reflecting God’s love and mercy in our interactions with others.
These teachings and examples from Jesus not only instruct Christians on how to live out their faith in practical, compassionate ways but also highlight the transformative power of kindness in building a more loving and merciful world.
