A Moment With Pastor Fred
Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Earlier this morning we held a concert of prayer about this cause. We will have special prayer as well in our service. Heb 13:3, “Remember those in prison, as though in prison with them and those who are mistreated, since you also are in one body.”
It was not unusual for early Christians to be arrested and imprisoned for their faith. Judaism was legal in the Roman empire, but Christianity was not. Civil authorities often misunderstood loyalty for Christ as King as disloyalty to Caesar. It was only through caring family and friends 1st century prisoners survived – providing basic necessities, food and clothing. To be identified with a prisoner was also dangerous. But family love demanded it. Remember means to keep in one’s thoughts. We who enjoy religious freedom easily forget over 70% of the world doesn’t have that freedom. We must pray for these.
We’re not just to care for those in prison but to any member of God’s family suffering mistreatment. We must do our best at putting ourselves in the sufferer’s shoes – to feel their heartache. Gal 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Our ability to empathize has been dulled by instant news – our minds are assaulted with visual images of suffering all over the world. We’re preoccupied with our own fears too. But you know, when you stub your toe in the middle of the night, your whole body hurts! So, it should be in the Body of Christ.