Look For Ways to Lovingly Serve Those Who Are Hurting

Jesus welcomed the children the world rejected, He healed the blind man, He ministered to the rich young ruler who had everything but the gospel. While others esteemed riches and authority, Jesus valued service and ministry to one another. Everyone those with little or much, is welcome in the kingdom of God. Jesus ministry showed that He cared for everyone, the rich, the young, the blind, the lame. His ministry showed that His heart was set on serving others. He ministered out of love, and yes, some people rejected that love. He lovingly went around serving those who were hurting. In what ways can we show love and care for the children? Do you feel jealous or insecure when others excel in areas that you struggle in? What can you do to change these feelings? How can you increase your sensitivity to the needs of others, including their spiritual needs?

If you stood before Jesus today, would He consider you a sheep or a goat? If you seem more like a goat (unbelievers) than a sheep (believers) what can you do to change that? If I had to find the words that would communicate the feelings that have inspired me to devote my life to ministering to those in need. Something that motivates me personnel who selflessly giving time and energy during the times of flourishing, and the time of famine, even in the darkest of days, weeks, months, and years. To be able to serve the poorest and vulnerable of people. That word would be: “Others.” This single word also motivated the ministry of Jesus Christ. Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

In God’s Kingdom, everyone belongs. God’s grace is not limited to a select few. There is an invitation to whomsoever will (Revelation 22:17). Everyone can drink freely from the living waters Jesus offers regardless of gender, national origin, ethnic identity, or social status. Jesus went out of His way to minister to outsiders, who had been rejected by the religious and cultural establishment. He stopped by the well to minister to the Samaritan woman living in adultery. he went to a Syrophoenician woman’s daughter and cast out a devil. He called Zacchaeus the tax collector out of a sycamore tree and went to his home for dinner, causing the people to question the company He was keeping. Jesus never apologized for loving people, especially the people everyone else seemed to find distasteful. No matter the person’s status or situation in life Jesus cared and had love for everyone.

Let’s talk about Jesus ministering to individuals from three walks of life: children, a rich young ruler, and blind Bartimaeus. Children in his days were considered unimportant. Infanticide was common and culturally acceptable. King Herod murdered baby boys without a second thought. Today’s widespread acceptance of abortion reveals that twenty-first century North America attitudes toward children are not much different, though some will argue. Jesus disciples adopted the prevailing attitude of their culture because they responded to the intrusion on Jesus time with a rebuke for the children. Imagine their surprise when Jesus offered His own rebuke, responding to them, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Matthew 2:16-18). Jesus was displeased with His disciple’s lack of love and compassion for the children. As He was then, He is still displeased at the way we neglect the well-being of children. Sadly, the mental, emotional, the physical, and the spiritual needs of the children of our society are sacrificed on the altar of careers, money, and other distractions. God loves and cares for the fatherless, the orphan, the abused, and the unborn child in the womb.

We who have read the bible have came across the rich young ruler. This man had a prestigious standing in society. But Jesus was not awed by the rulers wealth, power, or perceived righteousness. He was not impressed by His social standing. He just simply loved Him. One more overlooked person Jesus cared for. Leaving Jericho, He was interrupted by the cries of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. The desperate cries of Bartimaeus voice arrested Jesus’s attention. The love He had for hurting people, caused Him to put His plans on hold and commanded the people to call Bartimaeus. When everyone else tried to silence him Jesus did not overlook Him, even as he was own His way to save the many. Even when the one was considered to be from the bottom ring of the social ladder. Jesus transformed a blind beggar into a walking testimony from the side of the high-way.

Many people today hurry along as quickly as possible, hoping the homeless will not notice them and ask them for money. When they see a roadside panhandler: They pretend not to notice. On other days they avoid eye contact or keep the windows rolled up. They pray that the light turns so they can be able to drive off. Or we walk on the other side of the street when they try to approach. Jesus welcomes the homeless and the handicapped that society neglects and rejects. Jesus did not just have kind feelings in His heart, He demonstrated His love for others. As Spirit led believers, we must be sensitive to the needs of everyone we encounter. Even the rich, they may drive in luxury and live behind a gate, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t have any needs. Discern the true condition and be prepared to minister to them. Share the gospel with them. People need to hear about the God who loves them. Love motivated everything Jesus did. Matthew 9:35. “Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”

He didn’t stay on the road preaching because He wanted to build His brand or because He was expecting a financial payoff. Instead, When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion.” His love was more than a feeling; He expressed it through His actions. Sadly, His love was not always accepted. Jesus love did not make everyone’s list. The end of the rich young ruler’s story, he was sad at the sayings of Jesus, he went away grieved: for he had great possessions,”(Mark 10:22). Real love does not lead to great outcomes. Jesus loved people enough to tell them the ruth. In the end, He was crucified by those who did not want to hear the truth. Jesus knew what was coming, but He continued His journey to the cross. Jesus teaching and selfless example serves as the inspiration for the lives of sacrificial love. Jesus calls His followers to show love through acts and service. Jesus promised that the smallest act of service will not go unnoticed. Sheep is those who does His will; goats are those who do not.

Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as you have done to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Sometimes we overlook opportunities to show love to others because we are consumed with our own problems. Life challenges can leave us without time, energy, or resources. If we are always overwhelmed by our own problems that we cannot help others then we should rethink how we are living. How about setting aside a few dollars a month to give to an unexpected need. Our imagination and willingness to act are the only constraints on our opportunities to do good. Jesus promised if we seek we will find. If we look for opportunities to do good, God will provide. Let us be like Jesus find someone to serve. Our neighbor is anyone we meet along the road of life, regardless of identity or present condition. Let’s not be like the priest and Levite so preoccupied with their religious duties that they failed to see the bleeding man by the side of the road. They callously ignored him. They passed right by without even asking if he was alright.