Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for day 16 of LENT Saturday, March 25

"The Compassion of Christ" Love ... shown through tears .... In one portion of today's Scripture we read where Joseph, overwhelmed by meeting his brothers again so many years after they had sold him into slavery -- inquiring and finding his father still alive -- leaves the room to weep privately, possibly reliving what had been done, feeling again the forgiveness God had granted him for them ... the anticipation of seeing his father again ... his love for them ... realizing that it had only been allowed as part of God's bigger scheme in preparing Joseph for his current position as prime minister, to save his people from starvation, foreshadowing Christ's saving us from sin. Often referred to as an Old Testament "type of Christ," this incident somewhat parallels that in the life of Christ, weeping over a wayward Jerusalem ... those who did not recognize Him, either ... shortly before His crucifixion. Fast-forwarding several centuries, we find someone else weeping ... over a much less consequential matter ... once again having visible damage to a barely-just-purchased automobile ... and this time, they (meaning me!) were the "culprit" ... not someone else! Yes, many years ago, so tired from driving approximately 1500 miles with no layover, only a short nap, I was attempting to back through a chain link gate to unload the trunk. Watching the fence carefully, so as to not run into it, I failed to note the strategically placed telephone pole in the alley from where I was backing into this yard. Hence, fender and said pole met .... When it occurred, one of the passengers I had chauffeured there charged me with "car-worshipping," based on those tears. Later, driving home alone, it seemed the Lord was sitting right next to me, as has often happened when I was on the road alone. Letting me know that though those tears had been OK after all, as tired as I had been, He seemed to be telling me that it was the lack of them elsewhere lately -- if there were to be tears for any reason -- that was not all right. His question at that time to me was this: "How long has it been since you've shed as many tears for those who need Me?" Looking up the verse (below), which He also brought to my mind at that same time, was one of the first things on the agenda when arriving home where a concordance was available ... after some much-needed sleep ... for it had been too long: " ... God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you ... " I Samuel 12:23 (KJV) Gina Stevenson Phoenix, AZ USA Prayer Lord, so grateful for Your deep compassion that evoked tears from You, before You sacrificed even more ... Your life ... may we have no less compassion as we learn to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2): Your humility... Your kind of love for others that esteems them as priceless... giving ourselves, our time, our tears... for them. May we, in Your strength, prevail until we reap precious souls for You... for Your kingdom... for eternity. In the name of the One who gave His all for us. Amen Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalm 75, 76] [Gen. 43:16-34] [ I Cor. 7:10-24] [Mark 5:1-20] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 22 12:15 p.m. Page designed by: Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Gina Stevenson The background set is provided by In His Image Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.