In Exodus 34:6-7, Moses learns that the LORD is compassionate and gracious, filled with kindness. And in Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul teaches us that a fruit of the Spirit of the LORD is kindness.

When you drive, are you compassionate and gracious? Are you kind?

Do you yield to pedestrians?

Are you gracious to drivers who need to merge into your lane?

When we lived near Rochester, New York, the snow and ice taught us to be compassionate and gracious to pedestrians and other drivers. To be kind to others. Otherwise, we’d slid into them and they’d slide into us.

In the 21st Century, the “snow and ice” of hatred and wars are teaching us that we need to learn such compassion, grace and kindness. Otherwise our anger, impatience and selfishness will cause endless cycles of damage and pain—endless cycles of hatred and war.

Jesus displayed such compassion, grace and kindness.

One notable example is how Jesus treated the woman taken in adultery.

A bunch of religious leaders confronted him publicly, asking how such a woman should be treated. These men quoted the Scriptures to tell Jesus that the woman should be stoned.

But these men only quoted part of the Scriptures. These men left out the requirement that the man be stoned too.

Jesus started writing on the ground. Although the Bible does not say what he wrote, I believe that Jesus wrote the Scriptures about stoning the man.

He said to these men: “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw the stone at her”. (John 8:7). The men all walked away, until only Jesus was left.

What did Jesus do?

Jesus showed her compassion, grace and kindness. He did not stone her. Instead, he told her to go and leave her life of sin. (John 4:9-11).

Another time that Jesus acted with compassion, grace and kindness was when his disciples James and John asked him to call down fire on a Samaritan town that had refused to welcome Jesus. Jesus rebuked his disciples and went elsewhere. (Luke 9:51-56).

Jews and Samaritans had hated and shunned each other for centuries. Nevertheless, in contrast to this request for Jesus to destroy those who hate and shun us, Jesus told a story about a good Samaritan who acted with compassion, grace and kindness.

A Jewish man was stripped and beaten by robbers who left him half dead. The Good Samaritan took pity on him and took care of him. (Luke 10:30-37).

By acting with the same compassion, grace and kindness as Jesus, those of us who follow the Way of Jesus will not be overcome by evil, but will overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21).

And by driving in ways that are compassionate, gracious and kind to others, our example will encourage other people, nations, religions, and civilizations to drive in compassionate, gracious and kind ways, too!

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

When you drive, are you compassionate, gracious and kind? How? How not? Why? Why not?

Would you like Jesus to destroy those who disagree with you? Why? Why not?

Has Jesus ever rebuked you for wanting to destroy those who disagree with you? In life, in general? In politics, in particular? How? Why?

If those of us who follow the Way of Jesus are compassionate, gracious and kind, will we encourage other people, nations, religions, and civilizations to be compassionate, gracious and kind, too? How? How not? Why? Why not?

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For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Compassion in the Holy Land”, “Building Houses on Rock: Mercy and Forgiveness”, “Civilizations and Governments: Mercy Is the Power that Preserves”, and “Driving Lessons: Slow To Anger”.