ODB: Pointing to Jesus
December 11, 2025
READ: Colossians 3:12-17
As God’s chosen people . . . clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
An older man jogging down a street in New York City stopped in his tracks when he noticed a pair of battered sneakers placed near a homeless man’s sign requesting help. When the jogger learned that the two men wore a similar size, he gave the younger, homeless man the shoes (and socks!) off his feet and walked home barefoot. But not before explaining, “I’ve been blessed my whole life. God has been very good to me, so I feel like I should bless you too.”
Just as this man showed kindness to another because God had been good to him, so too believers in Jesus are called to “clothe [our]selves with . . . kindness” (Colossians 3:12). In fact, in whatever we do or say, we’re to do it as “a representative of the Lord Jesus” (v. 17
Like the jogger, may we be on alert for opportunities to be kind—an encouraging word, a thoughtful act, or even giving the shoes off our feet—and as we do, let’s point to Jesus (v. 17).
— Alyson Kieda
What effect has another's kindness had on you? How might you show kindness to someone today?
Loving Father, please help me be attuned to opportunities to spread Your love through kind words and actions. I want to be more like You! Consider three things we can learn from the kindness Jesus showed to everyday people.
Source: Our Daily Bread
