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Perceptions #200113
"The Ministry of Caring"
by Monroe Hawley
From his book Searching For A Better Way, pp. 141, 142
She was a Samaritan woman drawing water from Jacob's well at Sychar. Though it was not considered proper for a Jewish man to talk to a strange woman, especially a Samaritan, Jesus struck up a conversation. Soon they were discussing her spiritual condition. You see, Jesus cared!
It was late in the day the country was sparsely settled. Five thousand who had followed Jesus into the wilderness and had eagerly listened to his words were hungry. His disciples wanted to send them home. Instead, Jesus fed them. He cared!
A sinful woman entered the house of Simon the Pharisee where Jesus was a dinner guest. With her tears she wet Jesus' feet, kissed them, and then poured oil on them. "How disgusting!" Simon thought. But Jesus knew her depraved spiritual condition and how she longed for a better life. He lovingly accepted her acts of dedication. He cared!
Bartimaeus, the blind beggar of Jericho, called out as Jesus passed by. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The crowd rebuked him because the Master was too important to hear a blind beggar. He persisted. Jesus listened and gave him his sight. He cared!
Jesus stood at the grave of Lazarus, his friend. The sisters, Mary and Martha, were weeping. Jesus knew he would restore Lazarus to life. He also knew how Mary and Martha were hurting. Because they hurt, he also hurt. "Jesus wept." He cared!
Why did Jesus make such an impact on the common people? Of course, he was the Son of God. He was also a great teacher. He healed the sick and gave sight to the blind. But beyond all these things, Jesus understood how they felt. He identified with them. By his attitudes and actions he showed that he cared, and for this they loved him.
Jesus has taught us how to live. Just as important, he also showed the way. "I have given you an example," he told his disciples, "that you should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15). No one can be a true follower of Jesus without seeking to capture the personal concern, which characterized his ministry. Nor can we fully restore New Testament Christianity unless the church displays the ministry of caring.