Jesus Understands the Poor
After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death…” Matthew 2:13-15 NLT
With our family not gathering to celebrate Christmas until after Christmas, Debby snd I were alone on Christmas Day. Since we had time, we decided to venture out to the Christmas Day brunch being held at the Recovery Cafe in downtown Indy. We had heard from two attendees to Dinner Church about this mission for the homeless and those recovering from addiction.
We met there Keven and Raiden, the two who told us about the Recovery Cafe. We were introduced to the the couple who started Recovery Cafe several years ago.
We also met George who had attended Dinner Church and his girlfriend Madison. We learned that sadly the house that they were living in was burned down by an arsonist and they lost all their possessions. Knowing that they needed clothing, we went to pick up clothes we had stored at Westminster Community Center, and brought them warm clothes.
Because George and Madison needed extra large sizes that are hard to find, we sought to get them more clothing and shoes. George is 6’ 6” and wears size 15 shoes. And Madison wears XXXL clothes and size 10 shoes. You can’t easily find these large sizes. But we found them, and brought the clothes and shoes to them New Year’s Day. We also had a backpack and duffel bag for them since they were living on the streets. They were delighted to have all we gave them.
Your financial support makes it possible for our ministry to provide for those like George and Madison who are in desperate need. The homeless in our city struggle to find shelter. It’s especially difficult for a couple to find a place that will accommodate a couple. George and Madison had been living in an abandoned house until it was set on fire.
For those of us who live in comfortable homes and never forced to live on the streets, it’s hard to imagine what life is like for those like George and Madison. The homeless move from place to place to find a temporary shelter at night and hang out at a gas station or laundry mat if they can get into a daytime shelter such as Horizon House. The dangers and insecurity of living on the streets are unimaginable.
It’s even more unbelievable that our Lord faced the dangers and insecurities of life on the run. Mary and Joseph were left to bring the baby Jesus into the world that threatened their existence from the very beginning. They endured living in a dirty stable and laying their newborn son in a filthy manger. Life was bad enough but then they have to flee for their lives to escape king Herod’s attempt to murder their new baby.
They become homeless refugees in a foreign country. And even after king Herod’s death they are fearful of coming back to Bethlehem and are fired to live in Nazareth, far away in the northern part of Israel.
Jesus understands the plight of the homeless and displaced in our society. He knows what it feels to be excluded and unwanted. At some point growing up Joseph dies, and Mary becomes a single mother raising Jesus and his brothers and sisters. Life was never easy for Jesus. He knows firsthand the vulnerability and dangers that are a part of life for the poor and disadvantaged.
Because Jesus came into the world as a lowly person vulnerable to all the frailties and insecurities of the poor, he understands the need to “bring Good News to the poor.” Jesus defined his ministry by quoting the prophecy of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” Isaiah 61:1 NLT