The Ideals in the Life of the Lord Jesus Christ – Part 2
Main Idea
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III discusses one of the prominent qualities of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is openness to everyone without discrimination or isolation within a particular group. Christ’s heart was open to every person, whether young or old, male or female, near or distant, rich or poor. Christ broke down the barriers that separated people and declared that God’s love and His call to salvation are not restricted to a particular group, but extend to all human beings.
Spiritual Message
The Pope explains that the Lord Jesus Christ dealt lovingly with the Gentiles, the Samaritans, the tax collectors, sinners, women, and children. His love even extended to those who opposed and criticized Him. He did not reject the Samaritans when they closed their doors to Him, but sought their salvation and went to the Samaritan woman at the well so that many of the people of her city would believe. He also treated sinners gently because He came to call them to repentance, saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” He demonstrated His love even for His enemies and prayed for those who crucified Him, asking for their forgiveness. In this way, Christ revealed a broad heart that never gives up loving anyone and never closes its doors to any person.
Educational Lesson
Christ teaches us that true love knows neither fanaticism nor discrimination nor isolation from others. Christians are called to love everyone, take the initiative in communicating with them, and not limit their love to their families, friends, fellow church members, or colleagues at work. The Pope warns against allowing bad experiences with others to lead us to isolate ourselves from them, because people have both goodness and weakness. We should take the goodness within them and pray that God will deliver them from evil. He also explains that love does not mean giving up on someone who rejects or opposes us, but continuing to treat that person with a spirit of love.
Practical Application
The Pope calls us to examine ourselves and ask: Is our love limited to a narrow circle, or does it expand to include everyone? We should open our hearts to every person, take the initiative to serve and care for others, and avoid living in isolation. We must learn from Christ, who sought people, cared for each individual even amid the crowds, and gave every person an opportunity to encounter Him. Let us ask God to grant us a broad heart capable of love, patience, and forgiveness, so that we may live out the love Christ commanded us to have and love others as He loved us.
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