Missionary to the Poor

[Thompson, Darryl]

Missionary to the Poor 

     The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to
preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of
sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Luke 4:18.


     The sufferings of humanity ever touched the heart and called forth
the sympathy and love of Christ. He exercised pity and compassion toward
those who were afflicted in soul or body. His example in the matter of
treating the suffering and afflicted should teach us how to have
compassion and pity for the sufferings of His creatures.  

     Christ suffered in the flesh. . . . He knew what it was to suffer
keen pangs of hunger, and He has given special lessons in regard to
feeding the hungry and caring for the needy poor, and has declared that
in ministering to the needy we are ministering to Himself in the person
of His saints. He says, "I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat" (Matt.
25:35). He knew the discomfort and suffering of thirst, and He declared
that a cup of cold water given in His name to any of His disciples
should not lose its reward.  

     Christ was an active, constant worker. He found the domain of
religion fenced in by high, steep walls of seclusion as too sacred a
matter for everyday life. He threw down the walls of partition, and
exercised His helping power in behalf of every one who needed Him. He
brought cheerfulness and hope to the desponding. . . . He did not ask,
What is your creed? To what church do you belong? Active, earnest,
loving interest marked His life. . . .  

     The Lord Jesus knows what poverty means. He is the great missionary
to the poor, the sick, the suffering. The King of heaven, He could have
led a life of wealth and have lived among the wealthiest; but He chose
poverty. And He has honored the poor who believe in Him, for He blessed
them forever. Poverty with Christ is riches of the highest value. This
poverty is sanctified and blessed. . . .  

     In the humanity of Christ there are golden threads that bind the
believing, trusting poor man to His own soul of infinite love. 

>From That I May Know Him - Page 43