Being Kind, Like Jesus

By Pat Graham

If the Lord be God, follow him (1 Kgs. 18:21).

When Jesus lived upon the earth, people with handicaps or diseases were often treated unkindly. Most healthy people were afraid of those who had physical problems, and forced them to live apart from their families and friends. But Jesus taught us to love others and to treat them the way that we would want to be treated if we had similar problems. If we have an injured leg or even just a stomachache, we appreciate it when people show us their love by helping us when we especially need it.

Doctors today can help many injured or diseased parts of our bodies to mend. Broken arms and legs can grow strong again, and near-sighted eyes can see through glasses. But sometimes parts of our bodies cannot be made to work right. Some eyes cannot see, some ears cannot hear, and some brains do not work as they should. People who have handicaps need our love and understanding. Jesus was very kind to people who were not well. He healed lepers and invalids and blind people (Luke 7:21–22). We can be like Jesus and help others feel better by treating them kindly and helping them learn and grow in spite of their problems. We can show love, as Jesus did.

Instructions:

1. Color and cut out paper dolls and outfits.

2. Put outfit on doll and think about what problems you might have if you had that handicap and about how people could help you. Remember to do those helpful things when you are with a handicapped person.

Illustrated by Julie F. Young