by Norman H. Patterson Jr
“He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.”
Care of the Broken
Do you know someone who is going through a difficult time? What can you do? That you even care to continue reading this makes you different. Many people, even religious leaders, are like the Priest and the Levite. They pretended they didn't see and passed by on the other side.
Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. Luke 10:31+32
I think the good Samaritan in the parable must have grievously suffered at some point in his life. It seems that those who are well acquainted with pain have the most compassion. Religious leaders or pious Christians who live in a bubble can sometimes be the cruelest.
Qualification to Heal
What qualifies us to help someone who is hurting? Is it a master of divinity degree or certificate from a bible college? How about our knowledge of the bible? Perhaps we need a good reputation. Could it be the fact that we never really messed up in our lives or that we are a model Christian?
I don't think any of these things qualify us for healing ministry.
I think it is just the opposite. What qualifies for this type of ministry are our wounds. The oil and wine we use to heal others come from the very places where we are broken or where we have messed up, the places that bring us the most shame, places we try to hide. Here we are most vulnerable to criticism. However, it is through our broken places that Light shines best.
How to be Oil and Wine
1. Don't pass by on the other side.
Have you heard about someone going through a hard time? Maybe they hinted about something on social media. Perhaps you heard some juicy gossip about them. Develop sensitivity to people who are hurting. They are all around us. Ask God to show you and reach out to them.
2. Never be ashamed of your shame.
When someone is hurting, they believe they are the only one who messed up. Sharing your story at a convenient time can bring help and hope to someone who feels alone and vulnerable. It can be the difference between life and death.
4. Minister out of vulnerability, not invincibility.
Hurting people need hope, and this hope comes from people who know what it's like to be in a living hell. It comes from compassion, which means "to suffer with."
5. Remember how it felt.
Who wants to remember a painful time? We want to get away from it as fast as we can. To enter into someone else's pain, we have to remember what it felt like when we passed through the fire.
“What qualifies for this type of ministry are our wounds.”
6. Don't be afraid to get your hands bloody.
In the parable of the good Samaritan, they beat the man to a bloody pulp and left him for dead. Jesus said the Samaritan, "bound up his wounds." Sometimes the wounds are physical, but more often than not, people suffer from emotional injuries you can’t see. Either way, it can get messy.
7. Wash the wounds.
The good Samaritan "bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine." What a beautiful picture of the beginning of the healing process. Oil and wine are symbols of healing and blessing throughout the Scriptures. Both cleanse and sooth. We become oil and wine for the hurting person when we pour ourselves out for them in their time of need.
8. Be willing to pay the price.
The good Samaritan pre-paid a days wage for the broken man to have a place to stay. He told the innkeeper to put whatever more it cost on his tab. There is a price to pay in helping someone in pain. It may be actual money. It may be time. Either way or both, be assured, it will cost something.
9. Ignore the religious critics.
You can be sure someone is going to criticize you. It's best just to ignore them.
10. Pray
Don't ever underestimate the power of prayer. And never forget that ultimately only God can heal. Whether you feel comfortable to pray out loud for the person or quietly in your heart, either way, pray.
