Holy Week #2 of 8 Monday: Expect Compassion, March 25
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“As [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes’” (Luke 19:41-42 NIV).
As Jesus reaches Jerusalem, He weeps. He sees the lost city turned away from God. Self-serving religious leaders have led the people astray. Some willingly conspire. Many more are their victims.
Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, does not come to punish. He comes to give everyone an opportunity to turn back to God. He comes to save.
Entering the temple, Jesus sees the throng of people busily preparing for Passover. They scramble to buy doves to sacrifice, prepare their offerings with the money changers, and fulfill their religious duties.
Jesus scans the temple courts and watches the people. He sees their enthusiasm and excitement. He also sees anxiety and fatigue. For many, temple worship has become more burden than blessing.
Among the crowd surely there are many suffering with sickness and disease. They have come seeking hope and healing. Let us imagine this fictional scene:
A woman has come to the Temple. She has been bleeding and in pain for months. Her condition worsens by the day. She has ovarian cancer, though no one knew about “cancer” in those days.
Jesus watches her approach the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders. With their noses up, they look down at her. Their faces shrivel like prunes. She asks for prayer. They shoo her away like a pesky gnat. Their eyes remain fixated on the money that people are placing into their treasury.
Their treatment of this hurting woman fills Jesus with righteous indignation. He stands up and loudly proclaims for all to hear,
“My Temple is to be a place of compassion! Not a place for the powerful to pile demands on the weak and weary! It is to be a holy place where everyone can experience My Father’s love and compassion. I am the compassionate Christ.”
His eyes are on the religious elites. His arm reaches out towards the woman. Their faces, flushed with rage, become blood-red. Their eyes burn like a pack of wolves.
A crowd follows Jesus to another area of the temple. They gather around as He teaches about God’s Kingdom of love, joy, hope, and peace. Miracles are happening.
On her way out of the temple, the woman overhears Jesus. She turns to look at Him and finds Him looking at her. Jesus smiles and waves, gesturing for her to come to Him.
She does and tells Him about her suffering. He listens sympathetically. Then He gently places His hands on her shoulders and says the words she longs to hear, “Blessed woman, your faith has made you well.”
Sadly, we do not have to imagine people in your cancer journey failing to be compassionate to you. You may find them in your doctor’s office, workplace, family, even your church, and sometimes, if you are honest, in the mirror.
Thankfully, you can always count on Jesus’ compassion. “His compassions never fail. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV). His mercy and love flow like rivers of living water within you and never run dry!
Pray: Lord, thank You for treating me with such great compassion. Comfort me as I face cancer and when others are insensitive, unkind, and hurt me. Help me forgive them and myself when I fall short. When I feel snubbed, remind me I’m loved! Amen.
Your Turn: Read Luke 19:41-48. The classic hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” continues to touch my spirit. It beautifully proclaims God’s constant compassion. Today remember times when you have received it and thank God!
Michael David Gira Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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