As we come to the close of this sacred season of Lent and prepare to enter the holiest week of the year, my attention is drawn to the tenderness of Jesus.

The focus of Lent is conversion, which is a painful and costly journey. Often in the face of the pain and struggles of Lent and of life, we want to run away, numb out, or harden our hearts. However, these responses prevent us from being able to give and receive love.

Jesus doesn’t respond in any of these ways as He faces the cross. His heart remains tender, open, receptive, and vulnerable, even as we sin against Him.

Jesus’ heart remains tender toward Judas and Peter, even as they betray and deny Him. It remains tender toward his Apostles, even when they abandon Him. It remains tender toward those torturing and crucifying Him when He says, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” Even as He experiences the immense pain from their rejection, Jesus never turns his heart away from them and He doesn’t turn his heart away from us.

As we come together next week to celebrate Holy Week, I invite you to remain tenderhearted and open to Jesus, even as you may experience your own wounds, weaknesses, or sins coming up. The loving gaze of Christ is exposing and convicting, but it’s never condemning to those who remain in and with Him. So, dare to find Jesus’ gaze as He hangs on the cross and allow yourself to be healed by the One who has tremendous tenderness for you.