A Posture of Compassion

Albany Santeliz-Diaz reflects on Christ’s anguish, mercy, and call to selfless living

The drumset, piano, and guitars awaited patiently as Woods Auditorium hosted

another CNTRD in a long line of services. People socialized and were enjoying the break from the week past. Isabella Chavez opened the event with Isabella Pena sharing her perspective on Sabbath as she was given the honor to light the Sabbath candle. Following this, Yami Bazan was invited to lead special prayers for the unfortunate deaths of students in Adventist institutions such as Walla Walla University. The praise team leads in worship with songs such as “Lead Me to the Cross” and “The Wonderful Blood”.

After much praise, Albany Santeliz-Diaz was invited to give God’s word. Diaz began her talk in the scene of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying for his present and future disciples and Himself. Albany described the anguish Jesus felt knowing his mission, and yet He showed ultimate submission to the Father. Jesus was under immense stress as he switched between checking on his disciples and breaking down before God. Albany read from Matthew 9:35-36 to detail the kind of compassion Jesus felt in thinking about every single one in his flock. An interesting point Diaz made is that the Greek word splanchna (σπλάγχνα) is used when referring to Jesus’s deep feelings. This would have meant that the Bible describes Jesus feeling profoundly in his gut. 

Albany shared an anecdote about helping her dad move a car. Diaz was driving through the chaos of traffic and GPS issues when Albany lost sight of her dad. This added to the chaos until she turned into the wrong lane, and many cars were in front of her. Diaz cried until her dad found her, and he managed to stop all traffic in the intersection they were in. Albany’s dad helped Albany get out to pull over and recover for a bit. Diaz stated that this experience was similar to what Jesus accomplished in dying on the cross. Jesus had a posture of forgiveness, even to the point of death, and He invites us to have the same posture. 

Jesus knows the struggles of every single person, and He knows the stress we feel. Despite this, all of us are called to be selfless and be willing to give everything.

Jared Lorenzo