November 26

Dying to Be Loved

And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39).

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40

Song: “Give Me Your Eyes”

In AD 251, Christian communities in the Greco-Roman world did the unthinkable. They selflessly loved their neighbors in the midst of a horrific plague. While sickness ravaged those living in the cities and the dying were pushed into the streets so they wouldn’t infect other family members, Christians opened their homes to the ostracized and nursed many back to health. Historians have suggested this act of love and kindness may have reduced the mortality rate by as much as two-thirds, even though it cost a number of Christian caregivers their lives. Although we may never encounter the same type of overwhelming malady, plagues of a different kind exist today and require us to make a decision not unlike the Christians of old. Homelessness, hunger, addiction, divorce, bullying, and hurts of all kinds leave our neighbors, families, and loved ones spiritually dead and physically dying. The call to us is the same today as it was in Jesus’ day–“love your neighbor as yourself.” In order to heed that command, we need to open the doors of our hearts and love the hurting completely and without hesitation. When we administer the healing balm of the love of Christ and selflessly consider the needs of others before our own, God works through us to reduce the eternal mortality rate.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unconditional love. Help us to love others like You do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

November 26–30.Toni Campbell is passionate to show the love of Christ to hurting people and works toward this as the benevolence ministry manager at her church.