We often assume that caring for people within the church is solely the responsibility of leaders or pastors. However, the Gospel instructs us to love our neighbors as God does and to emulate the example of the Good Shepherd, Jesus.
I believe that if we grasped the concept that caregiving and shepherding aren’t exclusive duties of ordained pastors, the entire church would function more effectively. If individuals understood their call to care for one another in a compassionate manner, conflicts might be less severe, and many situations could be managed more adeptly or with greater empathy.
We all need to learn to view circumstances through a lens of compassion and caring.
How Jesus Demonstrated Care
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. – Luke 4:38-40
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It’s intriguing how this passage illustrates the type of care Jesus provided to people. Immediately after leaving the synagogue, He went to Peter’s house, stood beside his sick mother-in-law, and rebuked her fever. Although in other biblical passages we learn that Jesus didn’t necessarily need to be physically present for healing to occur, He chose to be there.
Furthermore, the passage emphasizes that as the day drew to a close, at sunset, Jesus welcomed the crowds and individually laid hands on EACH person brought to Him. People were able to enjoy direct contact with Jesus. He was willing to be close. This was the way Jesus took care. In fact, He came to the world, he came to us, to humanity. He became Emmanuel God with us to carry out the greatest work of care that ever existed.
What We Can Do
Often, we delegate care to pastors or those seemingly better equipped. Alternatively, we may attempt to provide care from a distance, offering donations instead of personal involvement. It’s worth pondering: how can we actively care for others? How can we emulate the presence of Jesus in our interactions? How can we extend care without judgment?
At times, we may feel ill-prepared to offer care, believing ourselves to be the ones in need. And indeed, we all require care, particularly in certain moments. However, when we visit, pray for, or simply spend time with someone, God can work supernaturally through us. By offering what we have, God can act with power and grace.
Therefore, we need to start looking at people and situations from the perspective of care.
