Sunday,
January 25, 2026
CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER
1 Cor 12:25-26
25
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have
the same care one for another.
26 And
whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be
honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Luke 10:33-35
33 But
a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him,
he had compassion on him,
34 And
went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on
his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And
on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the
host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and
whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
What
would it be like to be truly carefree? What would it be like to have
no anxiety about anything or anyone? Our first response, I think, is always
wrong because we think it would be heavenly. Upon further contemplation,
however, we would discover that we love only ourselves and that all our
pleasant things no longer satisfy us. God built into each one of us the
capacity to care. The first man – even before Eve – was given the task of
naming all the animals and “taking care” of the perfectly formed garden. Man
without a care is not so carefree after all.
The
word and concept of “care” is different in our two portions this morning. The
word used in Corinthians which talks about mutual care of each other is the
Greek word merimnao and means “to be anxious about or to take thought.”
The idea is that someone is on my mind and that I desire them to be
happy, healthy and well looked after. Now, imagine that there is nothing or
nobody in your heart that causes you to care! It is hard to wrap your mind
around the concept, isn’t it? We care for our spouses, our children, our
friends and a host of others. It means that we have the capacity to love
someone other than ourselves. Thank God
for that!
In the
story of the Good Samaritan the word care is the Greek word epimeleomai
and means “to minister to someone physically or practically.” This is when
concern springs into action. It is always costly! The Samaritan
cared because he had compassion. He felt the pain of another. He allowed
himself to be inconvenienced and to suffer a small financial loss. It was not
an investment – it was a gift!
God
gave us the capacity to care and the energy to do something about that concern. He
knows that when we minister to others it costs us something physically,
psychologically and often financially. However, he does not want us to be
burdened down with care. 1 Peter 5:7
invites us to “Cast all our care upon him; for he cares for us.” In this verse
the idea of care is that we are distracted. When it gets too heavy give it to
Him.
Is
someone heavy on your mind? Pray for them! Do they have a need?
Minister to them in a practical way! Is it so heavy it is driving you to
distraction? Give it to Jesus!
Dear
Lord, I care for many of my friends and loved ones this morning. When possible,
let me minister to them in a practical way. When the burden gets too heavy,
please lift my load. Thank you. AMEN
