Ministry of Compassion

Today was a wonderful Resurrection Day.  I worshipped the Lord at my church through hearing His Word and praising Him in song.  After the service I was struck by the fact that pain doesn't stop in people's lives just because it's a holiday. I realized that there were hurting people among us.  A number of people came up to one young woman to encourage her.  It was a joy to watch as others went to her instead of going away as people often do.  It edified me to be in a church where believers are taught that ministry is ongoing.  Especially the ministry to the hurting. 

I'm reading through the Gospel of Mark and have been impressed by the compassion of Christ. He didn't let the fact of the Sabbath stop Him from helping the hurting. The religious hypocritical leaders judged Him for it.  He ministered anyway. Jesus was about healing the broken hearted.  He never downplayed their sin but He offered them the Way out.  He is the way, the truth and the life.  He gave that life 2000 years ago on a Cross to die for the sins of the elect.  He transformed the world then and He is still doing it now.  His Spirit lives to help the hurting.  We, the church, are the temple of the Holy Spirit. He uses us to minister life to the dead, help to the hurting and freedom to those in bondage to sin.  What a glorious opportunity to reflect God to those around us.