We’ve been taking a few weeks to open a discussion regarding how to care for those who suffer. The language that we’re using is specific and intentional. We are opening (not exhausting) this discussion. There is, no doubt, much more that could be said (and probably should be said) on things like the ministry of presence, the sufficiency of Scripture, the harm done by trite answers, the necessity of confronting sin and the seemingly inexorable pull of idolatry. But this gets us started.
On week one, we asked you to be alert to those in your circle who may be in hardship. The verb we suggested for that topic was “notice”. The next week, we urged you to be praying that God would make you genuinely loving toward those who suffer. Here, we used “ask” as our verb. Last week, highlighting the verb, “listen”, we held forward the rare-yet-simple practice of quiet, focused attention. Today, we want to turn a corner and consider what actual help might look like. I’ll use the verb “turn”. This is, I’m quite sure, the most important practice that we’ll mention.
Those acquainted with biblical terminology might associate “turning” with the practice of repentance (and you would be right). Yet, this word is often considered only partially. When repentance is practiced rightly, we turn from something to something (or better, someone). It is possible to turn from substance abuse to amusement or from introspection to the idolatry of relationship or from indulgence to self-righteousness. We are only helped when we turn away from our sin and to Jesus. The natural place to look in God’s word on this topic is the first two verses of Hebrews 12. “. . . since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses [those enumerated in Hebrews 11], let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
This could represent a paradigm shift for some of us. Effective ministry is less sharing what we’ve learned and more looking to one we know. The best counselors, I’m suggesting, are not those who keep a full keg of wisdom on hand to distribute into the receptacles of their counselees. The best counselors see their ministry as turning – with their counselee – to our merciful Lord Jesus. Their operating principle is this: what we all need is Jesus, so let us look together to him, knowing that he will give us all we need.
I believe that it is almost always appropriate to quote John Newton. But when he opens a section by saying, “The best advice that I can give is…” then my ears perk up. This quote is from Sequel to Cardiphonia: Letters to Several Ladies.
“The best advice I can send, or the best wish I can form for you, is, that you may have an abiding and experimental sense of those words of the apostle, which are just now upon my mind,— ‘Looking unto Jesus’. The duty, the privilege, the safety, the unspeakable happiness, of a believer, are all comprised in that one sentence. Let us first pray that the eyes of our faith and understanding may be opened and strengthened; and then let us fix our whole regard upon Him. But how are we to behold Him? I answer, in the glass of His written word; there He is represented to us in a variety of views; the wicked world can see no form nor comeliness in the portraiture He has given of Himself, yet, blessed be God, there are those who can ‘behold His glory as the glory of the only begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth;’ (John 1:14) and while they behold it, they find themselves, ‘changed into the same image, from glory to glory,’ (2 Corinthians 3:18) by the transforming influence of His Spirit. In vain we oppose reasonings, and arguments, and resolutions, to beat down our corruptions, and to silence our fears; but a believing view of Jesus does the business. When heavy trials in life are appointed us, and we are called to give up, or perhaps to pluck out, a right eye, it is an easy matter for a stander-by to say, ‘Be comforted;’ and it is as useless as easy — but a view of Jesus by faith comes home to the point. When we can fix our thoughts upon Him, as laying aside all His honors, and submitting, for our sakes, to drink off the bitter cup of the wrath of God to the very dregs. And when we further consider, that He who thus suffered in our nature, who knows and sympathizes with all our weakness, is now the Supreme Disposer of all that concerns us, that He numbers the very hairs of our heads, appoints every trial we meet with in number, weight, and measure, and will suffer nothing to befall us but what shall contribute to our good;– this view, I say, is a medicine suited to the disease, and powerfully reconciles us unto every cross.”
So, there you go. My encouragement to us all this week is to love those in hardship by looking with them to Jesus. It is in his heart to receive those who grieve and it is a kindness to point your sorrowing friends to him. He can help.