Jump Start # 3967
Matthew 10:27 “As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’”
It is a common call for help that is found throughout the Gospels. Have mercy on me, is the plea. Those that cried that were hurting. They were not looking for grace in the form of forgiveness, but rather, the miraculous healing power of Jesus. The Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus to have mercy on her demon possessed daughter (Mt 15:22). The father, whose son, fell into fire and then into water, pleaded with Jesus to have mercy (Mt 17:15). Our verse today, is yet another example. “Have mercy on us,” the blind men cried. These people were desperate, hopeless and helpless. The tender heart of Jesus always responded to helping them.
All about us are people who are hurting. You see the pain in their faces. For some, it’s physically. Others, it’s emotionally, mentally and even spiritually. There are three initial things we recognize about people in pain.
First, pain tends to bring out the worst behavior. They are worn out. They are scared. They are cranky. Sometimes they lash out in anger because nothing is improving.
Second, those in pain are good at wearing masks to hide how things are going. They may be embarrassed. They are private. They think no one will understand and no one will care.
Third, whether they openly admit it or not, people in pain need help. They need help about the house. They need help physically. They need rides. They need help with insurance forms. They need help getting to services. But many times they will never ask for help.
What a difference you can make in their lives. You can be just what Heaven ordered. Your kindness, your attention to details and your love for the Lord can be the balm that makes all the difference. Here are some common suggestions to help you help others:
First. Use your words carefully and listen more than talk. Don’t make promises that you cannot keep. Don’t state things that you do not know (“I just know you’ll get better.” Really?). Don’t come with 40 questions for them to answer. Many times the person hurting may not want to talk. Just sit with them. Find something useful to do. Remember, every person has things in a certain way in their house. It may not be the way you like it or the way you think is best, respect the person and how they have things.
Second, pray with the person. If they are feeling bad, keep your prayer short and to the point. Keep your suggestions few. This is not the time or the place to say, “I told you so,” or, point your finger in blame. Support, mercy, love is the need of the hour.
Third, be a blessing and an encouragement to the person in pain. You can be the chicken soup to the heart and the warm comforter to the soul that keeps the person going. Keep your visit short. Don’t talk about yourself and be careful with suggestions as to what they ought to do. Just be the rock and anchor that they need.
Have mercy on us…they knew who to ask. They knew what Jesus could do. They knew the Lord was their only hope. Pain hurts in all seasons of life. Pain doesn’t go away quickly. The scars often remain long after the pain has left.
God has allowed us to be His instruments of mercy for others. Kindness and service go a long way in healing broken hearts. The holidays can be especially hard on those who are hurting. You be the blessing for them.
Roger