“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51-53 NIV)

Previously in this chapter, Jesus had fed the five thousand, been proclaimed the Messiah by Peter, been transfigured on the mountaintop and drove out a demon. He was gaining popularity by the day.  He was becoming successful according to most people's standards. Jesus could have easily taken some time to bask in His growing popularity and success.  For many of us, this is the pinnacle of our life's work, a place of popularity and success. For Jesus, it was not.  Being well-liked by the crowds was not His mission.  He didn't confuse short-term gains with the end-goal. So He resolutely set out for Jerusalem where He would fulfill His mission here in earth.  

Just because people want what you have doesn't make them your mission.  This is probably one of the hardest things to learn as a ministry in a city of great need.  The people in the Samaritan village certainly needed Jesus.  Everyone was waiting for Him to come into their village and town so that people could be healed. Jesus clearly stated what His mission was, "Go to Jerusalem so I can be betrayed by men and die. (Luke 9:44, Mark 9:31)  Because His ultimate mission was clear, and clearly not in Samaria, they rejected Him.  Rejection is a hard thing to handle.  You cannot possibly meet everyone's needs, but you can meet some people's needs well. When you clearly state your personal / organizational mandate from God, there will be many who reject you because they want something different from you.  Don't get sidetracked from your ultimate mission simply because of others.  The Samaritans wanted Jesus to stay and help them, not their "enemies."  The irony here is that Jesus couldn't save the Samaritans unless He went past them to Jerusalem.

So many of us are happy only when people like us and call us successful.  Something in our psyche needs to be loved and appreciated for what we've done.  It's the rare individual / organization that can bypass short-term gains for long-term missional success.  Jesus came to save humanity on the cross.  Once He set his face toward that goal, he didn't waver.  In fact, He never wavered.  May we be the same way, never wavering from our mandate to make disciples of all nations. (Matt 28:19-20)

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV)

Can you sympathize with others?  Who do you sympathize with more, the guilty or the innocent?  Most of us would say "the innocent."  Especially those who are suffering through no fault of their own.  It's fairly easy to sympathize with the victim of abuse, but far more difficult to sympathize with someone suffering because of their own actions.  Can you sympathize with the thief, the murderer, the gang member or the drug dealer?  What about with the human smuggler?

Let's start with those suffering innocently.  For most of us, when we see someone suffering abuse, poverty or injustice, something inside of us says "that's just not fair!"  While we may feel sympathy for the individual in question, unless we or someone else is the one suffering, we rarely do something about it except express our sympathy.  This is especially true if we have never experienced what they are going through.

People most commonly change sympathy into action when they themselves have experienced something similar.  For example, the owner of an apartment complex in Houston that receives great numbers of refugees is himself an immigrant from an impoverished country.  

The question remains, then, why isn't the average Christian sitting in the church pew moved to action in regards to human suffering?  Is it that we have become too insulated from the sufferings of others?  Have we already pre-judged those in need as deserving what they are suffering, or do we believe that since we overcame our setbacks that they should too?

Jesus didn't come for the good people and He didn't insulate himself from us.  He became comletely human, even subjecting himself to temptation and weakness.  He can sympathize with us in our weakness, because He Himself became weak even to the point of death.  He died for the ungodly, "you and I."  He not only  sympathized with the poor, the hungry and the homeless but also with the murderer and the theif.  His sympathy was not a "I hope someone does something about it," but rather "I will personally do something about it."

Anyone can approach Him with confidence, knowing that His love has no limitations.

Getting back to you and I, can we sympathize or "stand with" those who are suffering?  Will you help them learn to approach God's throne of grace with confidence?

Will you be sympathetic?

When was the last time you suffered for doing what was right? 

For me, I can't remember.  Does paying a parking ticket on time count?  I am so good at avoiding doing the right thing, especially when it could create an inconvenience in my life.  God tells you to "treat everyone with kindness, regardless of how they treat you.  Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace."

Doing right is more than just doing good deeds for others, it is also doing the right thing.  It is speaking up for those who can't defend themselves.  It is advocating on behalf of others who are being treated unjustly.  It is working hard to change people's attitudes towards Christians, not by crying out when offended, but by quietly and patiently being faithful witness to the love of Christ.  

"Honor Christ and let Him be the Lord of your life."  In everything you do ask the questions, "Does this honor Christ? Does this help my mission? Is this right?"

Go and do right, God's power at work within you enables you to do so.  Stop making excuses and let God's grace change you from the inside out.