THE CARE OF THE CHURCHES

 

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

 

THE CARE OF THE CHURCHES

 

2 Cor 11:27-28

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

 

          The word “care” only appears three times in the Authorized Version of the Bible. In the Old Testament it is the word dabar and means “a cause.” Twice in the New Testament it is the word merimna and means “distraction; care or concern for someone or something.”

 

          Paul was explaining that his role as apostle came with a “cause” and a load of care. He said: “Who is weak, and I am not weak?” He felt every pain and weakness of every saint under his care. It was an integral and essential part of ministry. It was shepherd stuff. As a retired minister, I haven’t yet found a way to avoid the care.

 

          I “care” deeply about the church from which I retired. I didn’t retire from the people of that church. They remain my friends. The status has changed. I also “care” deeply about the church of which I am now a member. It is still strange to be viewing the front side of the pulpit because I am very aware of the backside. I see what others miss and sense some things to which others are numb. Yes, it is often difficult to sit in the passenger seat with my hands in my lap while others drive.

 

          The answer to “care” is to “bear” one another’s burdens (see Galatians 6:2). Here the word “bear” is bastazo which means to lift and to sustain. Mutual sharing of burdens is the New Testament model of Christianity, and it is the very thing that has kept it alive. No other organization or club provides what the Church provides.

 

Rom 15:1

15 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

 

Dear Lord, some of my friends and brethren are burdened today. Let me carry a bit of their load while I lean on them for support. AMEN