On this Sunday, we turn our attention to the Christmas story as Dr. Luke tells it in his Gospel.
I noticed while reading the story this week an incredible little passage. Here it reads:
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. (Luke 1:57-58)
Did you catch that? When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
Even before Paul penned his instructions on how we should treat each other, these neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth and Zacharias understood this principle.
Weep with those Who Weep
Rejoice with those Who Rejoice
Paul wrote in Romans:
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Rom 12:15)
In other words, Paul challenged us to look at those around us, discern what is happening on the heart level, and then match it in our own spirits. This is one of the hallmarks of Christianity. We look past ourselves to others and respond accordingly.
Back to Our Christmas Story by Dr. Luke
Elizabeth had not been able to get pregnant. She was passed child-bearing and child-rearing age. Her friends knew her heartache and walked along the path of life with her and Zacharias through it.
But now things were different. When her friends saw the mercy of the Lord, they rejoiced!
God’s testimony of working in her life – showing mercy according to His covenant faithfulness – influenced those around her to rejoice.
In other words, where they initially weeped with Elizabeth, not they rejoice.
On This Sunday and During This Christmas Season…
On this Sunday and throughout the remaining part of the Christmas season, I strongly encourage you to look around you, determine where people are at, and then respond in loving ministry to them.
If the other person is going through a season of mercy where things are going great, he or she is rejoicing, and all is fairly well, rejoice with those people. (I personally think of a newly wed couple that are really enjoying life at the moment.) As you see those people, regardless of what is happening in your life, rejoice with them. Smile. Say a kind word. Congratulate where necessary. Wish them good. Rejoice.
If the other person is going through a season of weeping where things are not so great, he or she is sad, and all is fairly tough, weep with those people. (I personally think of a number of people here.) Extend some mercy as an ambassador of Christ. Say a kind word. Acknowledge their hurt, suffering, or trial. Offer to help as you can. Seek to pray with the other person. Move toward them with the love of Christ. Weep.
Have you noticed it is 2020? There may be more of these kinds of individuals than those who are simply rejoicing. People around us are struggling. Now is our opportunity. People who are facing the first Christmas without a loved one. Others who have lost employment. Many who have struggled with their health. What about financial pressures? And this list could extend on and on.
As one who has experienced this kind of ministry, please do not minimize the significance of your response to those around you. Your response represents part of God’s grace in this other person’s life.
Whatever the case of the person around you on this Sunday, please take a moment to rejoice or to weep as God grants you providential opportunity.
Elizabeth’s friends rejoiced with her because they could see the mercy of the Lord. What about you with yours?
Image Credit Nicole Michalou
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together