INVITED TO HELP

There is a distinction in the works of Jesus that takes some careful thought. I am referring to the various people who were ‘touched by Him’ and those who were not as he went about in his ministry. As He walked along the paths and roads of His time, He met all kinds of situations just as we do today. He put Himself into ordinary circumstances and He expects his followers to do the same. Yet, he never dealt with most of the questions that we have about suffering, pain, stress, anxiety, sickness, pills, bills or thrills with which we are concerned. So much of our conversation is about ‘what we have to put up with’ in all the various trials of life.

For example, there was no mention or comment or condemnation associated with earthquakes, famines, or wars that will be experienced on this earth until it is replaced with a new earth. In fact, Jesus seemed to view these things with hope and as a sign that delivery is at hand. There was no condemnation of sickness as an evil to be feared and He resisted completely the idea that Satan, the prince of this world, is to be feared in any way. Jesus even warned against the idea that a person’s sickness could be connected to his individual sins or the sins of his parents, or of thinking that a violent death is a sign of sin, or a punishment for sin.

He overcame disease and death in a peaceful and loving manner. He conquered by love. The compassion of Jesus was manifested to relieve suffering and sickness. It is interesting that He rarely offered a cure unless there was first a request.

Perhaps sometimes we need to be invited to help before others can receive our help. And sometimes, of course, we must invite the help we need.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus