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Hebrews 13:3
In understanding the biblical text, we must first understand what it meant to those for whom it was originally written. In this case, the Christians of the first century would have been very aware of what it meant to be imprisoned for their faith. The Apostles Peter and Paul are two examples of Christians that were imprisoned for their faith as we can read about in the book of Acts. During this time, the prisoners were reliant on outside help for their care. Acts 24:23 (NKJV) states the instructions of the Governor (Felix) for the imprisonment of Paul, “So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.”
This is a command to care for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today, we are still commanded to care for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul – this same Paul that we just spoke of as being imprisoned – is the same Paul that tells us in Galatians 3:28 (NIV), “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” If a part of our physical body was hurt, we would nurture it back to good health; so it should be with our body in Christ Jesus, which is the body of the Church. Jesus showed compassion on all that He healed. It is our duty as Christians in being the reflection of Jesus today to have compassion on all people, as He also nurtured the lost into the body of Christ.
Dear LORD,
You teach us through the life and ministry of our Savior Jesus to care for those who are in need that make up the body of the Church. You also teach us to care for the lost, in that through the compassion You have shown to us, we would reflect that compassion to others, that through our lives they would see Jesus and be led to a new life in Him. Please help us to always show the love of Christ Jesus to all those around us and throughout the world. In Jesus name I pray, amen.