Jesus’s Radical Teachings

Have you ever heard anyone say, “Give ’em grief”? I believe it is much easier and more productive if we give ’em grace. I have a wonderful story to share about someone giving me grace. I was putting sod down in my yard one hot and humid day. To prepare the ground for the sod, I dug up all the weeds, hoed the surface of the yard, and put down some top soil and fertilizer. After I had thoroughly prepared the earth, I took the larger pieces of sod and cut them into smaller pieces with a utility knife. To say that I was fatigued would have been an understatement. I was exhausted and not in the best mood, but I wanted very badly to finish the job. As I was on my hands and knees, digging close to the street, I glimpsed a blurry object out of the corner of my eye. It was heading straight for me, and for an instant, I panicked that it might be a car. There was no time to react before I would get pummeled! Thankfully, the blur was not a speeding automobile. It was a big, furry collie, like Lassie, and for some reason it wanted to romp with me on the ground. The dog jumped on top of me and licked my face. I hugged it and gave it affection, which in turn caused it to lick me even more vigorously and love me with great enthusiasm. I couldn’t help but laugh at the wonderful affection this dog showed me. Finally, a woman—the dog’s owner—approached me and apologized to me. “No need for an apology,” I told her. “Your collie has been the highlight of my day.” That bundle of fun and excitement had instantaneously taken away my fatigue. Suddenly, I was raring to go again! Although I was still hot and thirsty, I was no longer exhausted. This canine had given me a boost of energy, but more than that, she had given me grace—doggie grace. By this dog’s spontaneously sharing her love, enthusiasm, and playfulness with me, she instantly and magically gave me a new lease on the day. What a wonderful encounter! She gave me “puppy love,” and I loved it!

God finds many channels through which to pour out his grace. We know that God pours out his grace upon us. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23–24). The grace of God through Christ may come to us in any number of ways, including through a family member, a friend, a stranger, or even a furry creature. It is ours; it happens to us whenever we thoroughly and completely consecrate ourselves in God’s Word. When I was nine or ten years old, I was in a Sunday school class with all girls. I loved my Sunday school teacher. She was nice, good, and caring, with a warm smile and a sweet laugh. She invited the whole class to her house once. I think she must have been poor; for refreshments, we had roasted peanuts. I loved the peanuts, the fun, and the laughter, and I had an even higher opinion of my Sunday school teacher by the time the party was over. Looking back on that, it is clear she gave grace. She did not have to invite us to her house, but she did. She did not have to serve refreshments, but she wanted to do so. She did not have to smile and laugh and listen. She did not have to become a child with us, but she did. She offered grace. She gave us something that we did not necessarily deserve, but it was something we enjoyed very much, and we needed her love and attention. I don’t remember her name, but I remember her grace and kindness. Remembering my Sunday school teacher after all these years brings a smile to my face and a warm feeling to my heart. Giving grace can help us have an amazing impact upon others. They may carry the grace you gave them for a lifetime. They may never forget your deed. If we go to a ballet, the symphony, the theater, or to a special athletic event, the audience members might say how graceful the performers were. The dance, music, play, or sport may touch our hearts and literally take our breath away. It may inspire us to an amazing extent. When this happens, the performers are giving us grace. It is always beautiful, charming, attractive, lovely, and wondrous. It is a gift from God. Jesus was full of grace. The Gospel of John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14 KJV). What a stunning display of grace. God became man, deity became humanity, and Jesus came in flesh and blood. Jesus himself came to earth and died on a cross, even though he was and is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. His goodness is breath taking. His love is astonishing, and he loves you with an extraordinary love. His love is for all of humanity, even though often we seem so unlovable.

Be a grace-giver. Give a hug, say a kind word, listen intently, care, give empathy, pray for someone, encourage the hurting, send a card, give hope to the hopeless, believe in humanity’s’ ability o be transformed through our Lord.

Be sure to always remember, “GIVE EM GRACE.”