Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. -Romans 12:15
I’m not sure if you are like me, but I’m an expert in hiding my sin. I put tremendous energy in preserving a chrome image where everything is shiny on the outside and rusting, rough and dangerous metal on on the inside. Maybe you have found yourself striving in the same manner and even more so at church.
We know, though, that God has called us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Most church settings that I’ve found myself in, though, we never get beyond the shiny chrome exterior and if your church is at all like ours, brokenness is all around. One of the great privileges of living in the inner city, though, is that people do not hide their “junk.” There is a realness and authenticity that is unmatched.
I was incredibly encouraged this past week as Pastor J.B. brought before our congregation a young married couple whose marriage is crumbling and taught us the true meaning of weeping with those who weep. As this couple shared their struggles, Pastor J.B. reminded us of our own troubles and sin and challenged us to come around this couple and encourage them.
Looking to Christ, who left all the comforts of Heaven and redemptively entered into our suffering (2 Corinthians 8:9), we as His followers are all called to enter into the pain of others. At St. Roch, we see this played out in a variety of ways including the preaching of the Gospel, restoring damaged homes, programs for underserved youth or just doing life with one another.
Imagine what it would be like if we, the Church, were honest about our sin before God and others. What if we took serious the mandate to enter into the sufferings of others? I wonder how many marriages would be saved, relationships restored and how much rejoicing would be experienced. How would that effect poverty in our country and abroad? Would there be a need for orphanages? Would there be discussions about building bigger prisons? How would the unbelieving world respond? Our young married couple has a long road ahead but with the support of the Body of Christ around them, we anticipate great rejoicing.
By Ben McLeish, Community Development Director at St. Roch Community Church, a PCA church plant in inner-city New Orleans.
