Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” and “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34, 35). There are people all around us! With some, it’s easy to see that they are hurting. With others, it’s not so easy.Most weeks here at Barnabas Vision, we hear stories of hurt and brokenness on the inside. Often times people wear a mask that covers this hurt and brokenness. It is important to remember that everyone has a story! Relationships are messy and God knows that. Jesus knows that. God sent His son down because of the mess. He sent His son down to die for our sins and because of Jesus, we can turn our mess into His message. He gives us one another so we can encourage one another.How do we encourage? How do we show love to others and why should we? First, we are commanded to love, for love comes from God. Second, when we care for others, we resemble the ministry of Jesus. Jesus’ whole ministry was based upon caring. When you read the four Gospels, there are multiple examples of Jesus ministering and caring for people before he took care of their spiritual needs. We read about how he healed the sick, made the lame walk, and how friends brought a man to Jesus by cutting a hole in the roof. People were healed and believed in him.What about the people who came to Jesus? Jesus ministered to multitudes. Some believed and some didn’t. Jesus still cares for them. Even on the cross as he died for our sins, he cared! Even as he uttered the words “Lord forgive them they do not know what they do”, he cared.We need to care for people because people matter to God. We need to see them through His eyes and be willing to respond. Thanks for making a difference.
