Today, I want to start with a verse of Scripture which provides the foundation for the rest.
In 1 John 2:3, John writes:
“And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.”
This verse resonates with me because of the sermon for this Sunday. We are talking about what are called ‘the reciprocal commands’ given in the Newer Testament. These are commands that are all about what we do with and for ‘one another.’ There are over 30 of them and they consist of such commands as:
“Love one another” {13 times in the Newer Testament—see John 13:34-35—said 3 times by Jesus}
Hebrews 10:24 - “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.’
Romans 12:10 - “Be devoted to one another…give preference to one another in honor.”
And, on they go.
What is the point?
If we are going to know Jesus truly—we must become committed to others.
At this time of isolation—it seems to be driving home the point as to how much we need each other. My phone conversations are longer. People stopping by the church building tend to stay longer (at least 6 feet apart, mind you). Text messages and emails are more abundant and there is a longing to have contact with each other.
I have a friend who is a chaplain at a nursing home. You can imagine the distancing that is taking place there! Family cannot visit and people there cannot even visit with each other. But with ‘non-essential’ employees staying away—he is considered essential.
Why?
Because people need connection with other people. The state has mandated that his post is needed for the morale of the people. He is now doing things he has never done before by way of ministry. He is doing video devotions several times a week that patients can receive on their televisions. He is literally taking a karaoke machine from floor to floor and leading hymns. In many ways, he is connecting now to more people in more ways than he did before. And the people and the staff appreciate Jesus more living through him.
At this time of isolation and loneliness and frustration and anxiety—we need one another. More than any other time in my lifetime—people need to be needed and connected.
So—I just want to encourage you to reach out and touch others. Offer words of encouragement to people for whom you have not done that before. Send cards, do Bible studies, hold others accountable to be more of what Christ wants us to be. We need ‘others’ so we can fulfill the ‘one anothers.’
Make sure you are doing your part to make that happen.