Dependability: Who Cares? Part Three

Luke 22: 25 – 30

Have you ever had anyone stand by you in your trials? Have you been willing to stand by anyone in their trials?

We must come out of our hot, tight little circle of friends and show others we care.

Jesus said, “I am among you as one that serves.”  That kind of servant attitude could have come only out of a fountain of love.

When people care, they share.  One of our members in a public place spoke to a lady in the same group in which he was waiting. Finding that she was new in the community he asked her if she had found a church home. She responded, “You folks around here really care about your churches.  A lady just a minute ago asked me the same question.”  She then said that she was a member of another denomination, but asked, “To what church do you go?”  When He told her, in astonishment she replied, “So does that lady that just asked me to visit her church.  If your church means so much to you folks, I will be there Sunday.”

People who care, share.

As a pastor I paused one Sunday to look through a window into one of our children’s areas.  There I saw a friend, one of our State Representatives lovingly attending to the needs of the little children. The need of one of them was for a ride on his back with a choke-hold around his neck. He cared so much for little children that he shared love with them.  Of all the people in the room, he seemed most happy.  That is the way sharing works.

Jesus once said, “In as much as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it unto me.”  An application of what He said would be, “You have served me, now go out there and imagine the person you find in need to be Me and help that one as though he or she were Me and you were helping Me.”

There is mutual strength in sharing.

I visited California’s giant Sequoia Forest. I was amazed at one tree known as General Sherman. It is over 200 feet high and is 70 feet in circumference. I thought surely the roots of that big fellow must go at least 100 feet deep. I was fascinated when the guide said they were just beneath the surface. I thought that must be wrong. If they are so shallow, a wind would easily blow them over. The guide explained that Sequoia trees grow only in groves. Their roots intertwine.  When the strong winds come, they each hold up the other.

Jesus intends for His followers to be Sequoia Christians.

There is a big blessing inherent in the doing of a good deed.

Have you anyone who has stuck by you in your trials?  Have you thanked them?  Have you thanked God for them?

Have you related to anyone who can say of you, “You stayed with me in my trials.”

There are many fringe blessings inherent in caring.  Jesus spoke to His disciples of the heavenly reward. However, He has made provision for His followers in time. By continuing with Him He is also with us. He has said to those who follow Him, “Lo, I am with you always….”