Jesus’s Heart for Those in Need
“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”” Luke 19:37-38 NIV
As we were setting up for Dinner Church last Wednesday, I saw that Charles, one of our volunteers, had brought a young woman and her three small children. I went to her and asked how we could help her. She told me that she had been staying at the Julian Center, but she was told to leave. The Julian staff thought she had another place to stay. Unfortunately, this did not work out for her. She had nothing with her, no money, no possessions, and nowhere to go.
Our hearts went out to her and we were able to fund through a donation a place for her to stay that evening. We gave her formula and milk for her children.
We believe Jesus has a special heart for those like her whose situation is so dire. We need to be there for the individuals who are struggling just to survive. It is humbling to come alongside of someone in such great need and seek to help them. If we were not there, I cannot imagine what she would have done.
Jesus was always there for those in need. – the lepers, the beggars, the outcasts, the hungry, the lame and the blind. All through his years of ministry he was out where there were people needing him.
Jesus came into Jerusalem the week before Passover riding on a donkey into the city. He is welcomed by a crowd who had seen all he did for the poor, the sick and disadvantaged. They saw how he truly cared for them. Jesus’ love for the needy stood in contrast to the rich and powerful religious rulers and obviously in stark contrast to the Roman rulers.
Jesus rode humbly on a donkey, not a stallion , as a demonstration of how he came not as a mighty military leader but as a servant of the people. His procession is the alternative to that of the military glory-seekers, the self-important kings and the selfish despots. So, Jesus, by his action came as a king of love and peace, not as the conquering military hero as some imagined the Messiah. Paul wrote that Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:6-7 NIV
We need to follow Jesus with his same humble heart to give selflessly of ourselves to those in need. We care for others because “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 NIV. Our ministry is to those like the mother with her little children.
Your financial support can help us to continue our outreach to the homeless and disadvantaged in our city. We need your help also with serving at Dinner Church on Wednesdays. May God bless you as you contribute in any way to our mission in the city.
Above is the mom and her three children who we were able to help last Wednesday.
. May God’s Peace be with you,
Pastor Jim and Debby Riley