Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

We are surrounded by people going through a hard time. From those suffering outside of our boarders, to those in our country, to those in our church, and even in our own family, if we look, we’ll see people going through the fire. For those of us who work in ministry, we can get numb to it. If we’re not careful, we can even become calloused to people’s hurts and needs. This verse reminds us that not only are we to be mindful of these things, but we are to, almost meditate on their situation, putting ourselves in it, as if it was me going through that same thing.

As I think of this verse, I think of Christ. Isn’t this what Jesus did and does for us? He’s a high priest that is “touched” with our infirmities. He sympathizes and empathizes with us. And then, as our Advocate, He “goes to bat” on our behalf. Might we look around and recognize that “that could be me”, putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. If I see that as “my child” or “my sickness” or “my poverty”, I’ll be more apt to reach in and then reach out to meet the need how I can. Let’s be like Christ in this area.