Once when I was nineteen I found myself pushing my motorcycle along the side of the road because I had run out of gas.

Imagine my surprise when a tanker truck pulled off of the highway in front of me. The driver jumped out and came back and asked if I was out of gas. Learning that I was, he quickly produced a plastic container from somewhere, climbed up on top of that big tank, opened a hatch and dipped out about a quart of fuel for my bike, which was more than enough to get me to the next station.

Needless to say, I was elated, and yet flabbergasted at the same time. A perfect stranger had unexpectedly gone out of his way, taking the time and the trouble to help out another perfect stranger.

The thing that really struck me about this guy, however, was the pleasure he seemed to have in helping me. It was apparent to me that his motivation had nothing to do with any sense of duty or obligation. Rather, it seemed to be a genuine pleasure to him, something fun and enjoyable. I am even tempted to say that he was glad for the opportunity to get me back on the road.

That was thirty-five years ago, and the entire event probably didn’t take five minutes, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. Why is that?

I have to say that it is the power of kindness.

It is the power of kindness that strikes me over and over again as I read the gospels. The kindness of Jesus impacts my life when I read of Him touching the leper in Mark 1:41 to make him clean. It impacts me anew when “before His time” He heeds His mother’s wishes and generously turns water to wine to preclude a humiliating embarrassment to a host, John 2:1-11. Out of kindness, He mercifully refused to punish the Samaritans for rejecting Him even as He was going to Jerusalem to die for them, Luke 9:51- 56. Then of course, perhaps His greatest act of kindness was to ask His Father to forgive those who openly despised, abused and crucified Him, even as he hung on the cross, Luke 23:34.

Yes, Jesus’ kindness seems prolific in the gospels and Luke recorded Peter’s statement about Jesus that He, “Went about doing good”, Acts 10:38.

In fact, I would say that to be unkind is to be ungodly. I have to wonder how much damage the kingdom of God has suffered simply through the cold and ugly way its citizens have sometimes responded to those in the world.

Therefore, Christians! Lift up your eyes and see the opportunities before you! Follow your Lord in kindness, and go about doing good… “That they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven”, Matthew 5:16.