In Jude verses 22 and 23, we notice not only the command to care, but we see the cry of the world. In the ninth chapter of Mark, our Lord had been on the mount of Transfiguration with three of His disciples. As they came back down to the valley and met the other disciples, they were confronted by a religious group. A great controversy was brewing because a man had brought his son to the disciples for healing and disciples could not heal him. When they could not heal him, the leaders who were against Christ were ridiculing His disciples because of their inability to help the man. The Bible says in Mark 9:14-21, “And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.”
The father had lived with this for all of his boy’s life. In verse 22, the man said to Christ, “And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.”
Notice the use of the pronouns. He said, “Help us.” I do not have to tell any parent why the pronouns change, I do not have to tell anyone who has children why this man said to the Lord Jesus, “I love my boy. I have heard about all the things you can do, and I brought my boy to You. You were not here, so I brought him to the disciples in Your absence. You see, he has a dumb spirit. He wallows, foaming and gnashing at the teeth. Sometimes, he has been torn and thrown into the fire.” No doubt, the boy was scarred in places because of the burns in the fire. Looking at his daddy, you would see scars on his body also. He, no doubt, had gone into the fire to rescue his son.
As the boy went into the waters, the father no doubt went into the waters after him like any father would. Perhaps on many occasions they were both almost drowned as the father saved the boy’s life. He said, “Lord, maybe to others my son is unlovely and unwanted but I love him. Help my son and help me. He has this dumb spirit, but have compassion on us.” Why does he say, “Have compassion on us”? Because anytime someone you love is hurting, you are hurting with that person. If your daughter is ill and hurting, it makes no difference how old she is, you hurt with her. If your son is hurting, no matter what his age may be, you hurt with him.
The story is told of two liberal sociologists who were walking down the street. They saw a man lying unconscious and covered with cuts and bruises from a terrible mugging. One of the sociologists turned to his colleague and said, “Whoever did this terrible deed really needs our help.” The world is crying for someone to have compassion. We must reach the lost now, while a difference can be made.
God has put in our hands and in our hearts an ability to make a difference in people’s lives. The reason we do not make a difference we could be making is that we are not caring as we should. We are not caring like we could be caring. It is no wonder God says, “Have compassion.”
I must ask God every day for wisdom because I believe that people who lead need special wisdom from God. If we read God’s Word each day, the Lord will give us wisdom from His Word. He can also impart wisdom to help us make the right decisions through the indwelling Holy Spirit as we lean on Him. There are many men with knowledge but no wisdom. We need wisdom, the discernment to make right decisions.
When dealing with people, we also need compassion. Do you know who will make a difference in the lives of others? The people who care. It could be that the wrong kind of people care for them. The cry of the world is for someone to care of their souls. We must bring them to the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
Commenti