Keep on … do not forget … and now …
”Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.“ Hebrews 13:3
The church had been doing well and the author is now writing to them to continue to think of those who are worse off than themselves. This is probably referring to those who are in prison because of their faith and worse, they have been abused maybe in the prison.
It is clearly commanding not just to think of these people; what good is thinking going to do compared to being proactively involved?
But it is the words, ‘ … as if you were …’ that are speaking loudly to me this morning.
• It is not only about you. You need to step way from your world to enter someone else’s.
• Never think someone else’s difficulty is beyond ever reaching you.
• It is not sympathy that is needed but it is empathy, there is a difference. Pity is being thankful we are not in the same position. But those suffering need to know someone understands.
• When we step into the shoes of the sufferer then we begin to truly understand incarnation and as such we come closer to Jesus.
• To remember someone suffering is to act on that memory; a visit, provision, prayer.
• Though prison ministries are needed and God is using them, there are many contained and isolated: captives are everywhere.
• Though the persecuted church need our resources and prayers and it is vital we support them, there are many who are abused and ill-treated in your neighbourhood.
• Do unto others what you would want them to do to you. Someone very important said similar words to that!
Someone has to do it!
Missions Paul 