We Build People...Include Them

Epidemic of Loneliness

One of the most powerful emotional needs that we face is the need to belong. Our society is fragmenting, families are disintegrating, and technology is isolating us from any opportunities to fit in. All the while our desperate need for belonging hasn’t diminished!

Elena Renken is the NPR science desk intern - “More than three in five Americans are lonely, with more and more people reporting feeling like they are left out, poorly understood and lacking companionship, according to a new survey.

The report found several factors that were linked to increased feelings of isolation in 2019. Loneliness appeared to be more common among men. The survey found 63% of men to be lonely, compared with 58% of women.

Social media use was tied to loneliness as well, with 73% of very heavy social media users considered lonely, as compared with 52% of light users.

But feelings of isolation were prevalent across generations. Gen Z — people who were 18 to 22 years old when surveyed — had the highest average loneliness score on the 80-point scale (about 50), and boomers had the lowest (about 43). We might think of older people as being the loneliest, but this pattern is actually consistent with results from other studies, says Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychology professor at Brigham Young University. "We need to recognize that no one is immune," she adds.”

Christ is the Answer

The church has the answer to this struggle. We must strive to be a place and body of inclusion. Inclusion doesn’t just happen, it is a conscience decision to include people. The church carries a message of love and belonging, we must act on this message. So what does that look like...

Look no further than to Jesus’ example of inclusion.

Luke 8:1–3 NKJV

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

Jesus Met Mary’s Need First

Jesus saw Mary as an individual, not merely part of a group.

Luke Women Accompany Jesus and the Disciples / 8:1–3 / 73

First, Mary Magdalene (from a town called Magdala or Magadan, see Matthew 15:39) from whom he had cast out seven demons. Apparently Mary Magdalene had lived a very sorry existence because demons were usually associated with mental or physical disorders. The number of demons indicates the severity of the possession from which Jesus freed her.

Mary’s needs would be met first. She didn’t have to get cleaned up and free of demons before He would help her. Jesus would help her and then share His heart with her. This is what would open her heart to receive from Jesus.

Jesus Built a Relationship With Mary

Jesus’ relationship with Mary and many other women would be counter cultural...

Life Application New Testament Commentary Women Accompany Jesus and the Disciples / 8:1–3 / 73

Jesus continued his mission to announce the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God (see 4:43; 7:22). The twelve disciples (named in 6:13–16) traveled with him—Jesus poured much of his ministry into them. As Jesus traveled and preached the Good News, he was also training the Twelve, preparing them for future ministry. The picture of women traveling with Jesus and his disciples would have been completely uncharacteristic of rabbis in ancient times. Rabbis refused to teach women because they were generally considered to be inferior. Jesus, however, lifted women up from degradation and servitude to the joy of fellowship and service. By allowing these women to travel with him, Jesus was showing that all people are equal under God. These women supported Jesus’ ministry with their own money. They owed a great debt to him because he had healed some of them and had cast out evil spirits from others.

Jesus would take the time to build relationships. Out of these relationships would flow identity and purpose. Many that would choose to follow Jesus and become disciples would go from outcast to belonging, and from needing to giving.

Jesus Included Mary

Jesus would meet Marys’ needs and build a relationship with her. She would find her identity and purpose in Jesus. Because He would take the time to do what apparently no one else would do, her life would be changed forever.

She would be included and become a disciple herself. Mary would find ways to participate and be useful Jesus and His ministry. She would share in the blessings as well as the responsibility of ministry.

Life Application New Testament Commentary Women Accompany Jesus and the Disciples / 8:1–3 / 73

Mary stayed at the cross, went to the tomb, and was the first person to see the resurrected Christ (24:10; Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1, 9; John 19:25; 20:1, 18).

There is no exact science for reaching people, but there are examples and patterns that we can learn from. As believers we should be compelled to meet the lost where they are and show them the way to Jesus. We should be showing them that we’re more than a building and services to be attended, but we’re a family that they can belong with.

Call to Action

Would you give your heart to Jesus today and be saved?

Would you ask Jesus to give you a heart and burden for the lost?

*Inspired by a sermon from Micheal H. Clarensau