Remember, As Though With Them

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body… 

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith…  Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.  Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.  Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning.” Hebrews 13:1-3,7,12-17

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Jesus Christ remembered every one of His children in our prison as though with us. He left glory to enter our world and experience every temptation, sorrow, and joy. He identified with us by carrying our due sentence to the cross, taking on the cruel weight of our sin so we could be freed and bear it no more. He died connected with us to the utmost. Because of Him, identification with those who suffer and serve are outcomes of our salvation. (John 11:35; Hebrews 4:15)

Brotherly love is an exquisite privilege and mystery within the church. Believers are related by grace and united in Christ’s death and life, so sympathy and mutual concern occur as a natural, spiritual phenomenon. Empathy for the imprisoned and lonely begins in the heart as we recall that we were once strangers, aliens, and outcasts. Love and generous hospitality should be practiced because we’ve been welcomed into the family of God. Mutual encouragement and submission are byproducts of communion with the Lord and compassion for His children.

How well is that brotherly love continuing in and through us? In what ways do we connect with and care for others in the Body in their varied experiences? Bent on personal fulfillment and agendas, we easily miss the profound joy of sharing another’s burdens. Whom are we imitating in our priorities? How can we refocus? Who and what will we stop neglecting today, and go outside our norm to minister to another in Christ’s name?

“Blest be the tie that binds 
our hearts in Christian love; 
the fellowship of kindred minds 
is like to that above. 

Before our Father’s throne 
we pour our ardent prayers; 
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
our comforts and our cares. 

We share our mutual woes, 
our mutual burdens bear, 
and often for each other flows 
the sympathizing tear. 

From sorrow, toil, and pain, 
and sin, we shall be free; 
and perfect love and friendship reign 
through all eternity.” ~John Fawcett (1782)

Lord, help me remember and relate as Christ has, for His sake and praise.