Jesus’ Heart of Compassion Lifts Up the Suffering
Taken from a Red Rock News Article
Rev. Dona Johnson | Feb 4, 2024
It is custom in many denominations that after Sunday worship the pastor or priest immediately schedules pastoral care visits to members of their congregation who are ill—in the hospital, nursing home or those who are homebound. On these visits they bring the church’s message that God ‘s healing presence is with them, they pray for the sick and offer the sacrament of holy communion. When a person is struggling with or recovering from an illness, there is not only physical suffering but there are emotions that surface such as fear, discouragement and doubts. And more importantly, there is also the spiritual side of illness, such as calling on God for hope and healing and these are happening every day. There are also laments and cries to God for divine help and restoration. And then there is always the prayers of joyful thanksgiving when the mercy and grace of God brings about a healing.
Pastoral care is an extremely important faith practice in the church as it should be. If people are left unattended they can feel cut-off from the very thing that they need the most— prayer and someone who cares. For God is very attentive to the prayers of his people and when they are sick, God feels their suffering and distress.
Jesus models pastoral care to his people in the most self-giving and merciful manner. He has great compassion on those who are sick. Many people have come to faith when God has healed them. Many people in the final moments of life, who have had a difficult time accepting Jesus, quietly and some desperately call out to him for help. They want peace with God. They want his eternal assurance and God so lovingly grants it. For those who call upon God will never be turned away. As Paul said, “Everyone who calls out to the Lord will be saved (Ro. 10:13).”
In Mark 1:29-31, we find Jesus healing a demon possessed man right in the middle of a synagogue service. After the synagogue service it was customary to have a Sabbath meal. But on this particular day, Jesus passed up his chance for a meal. Once again, his power was appealed to and once again he gave himself to others. He went directly to Peter’s mother-in-law who was sick with a “burning fever.” Jesus had the option to enjoy the meal with his friends but it was not in his heart to do so. The woman was sick and Jesus was never too tired to help.
When he reached the woman’s home, Jesus went to her bed, reached out to her and lifted (pulled) her up out of her burning fever. She was instantly healed. No sooner than Peter’s mother-in law was healed and on her feet; she began to serve those around her. In other words, she was saved to serve. And truly that is what salvation is all about. When God reaches down and lifts us up out of our sin and brokenness and restores us to himself, in great joy and love for how he saved us from our peril, we too go out and serve and pray for the healing of others.
The disciples had not been with Jesus very long and already they had experienced his heart of compassion, so much so they began bringing all their daily troubles to him. And so can we. This story though brief gives us a window into the very heart of God. It is a heartwarming story that is meant for all. It tells us that God has the power to heal us. And that through Jesus, we have a God who is so attentive to us, that he hears every word, every cry for help that we speak in our hearts.
If you are reading this devotion and feeling that you may need God’s healing presence in your life right now email me. As a pastor, I will pray with you and I am bound by my pastoral oath to keep all prayers confidential. revdonajohnson@gmail.com