Columnist Kathleen Parker recalls a defining moment from her high-school years. She had just transferred to a new school when her teacher asked her to diagram a sentence. Parker had never learned this aspect of grammar, so she didn’t have a clue how to do it. Her awkward response evoked derisive laughter from the class.
Instantly, the teacher spun away from the chalkboard and snapped at the students: “She can outwrite any of you any day of the week!” Parker felt relief, vindication—even triumph.
She looks back to that pivotal moment with deep gratitude. “I started that day to try to write as well as he said I could,” she says. Eventually, Parker would win the coveted Pulitzer Prize.
Defending our fellow human beings in their weak and vulnerable moments is a divine attribute, so it’s no surprise that Jesus spent His life doing that. When the disciples considered small children an intrusion on the Lord’s time, Jesus welcomed them (Luke 18:15-17).
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, He held up a member of a despised minority group as the protagonist in the powerful story (Luke 10:30-35).
When scheming religious leaders trapped a woman in adultery and brought her before a crowd at the temple, Jesus shamed her accusers, offering her forgiveness and a better future (John 8:1-11).
When we were incapable of helping ourselves, He gave up His very life for us (Romans 5:6).
Defending the defenseless may be as simple as coming alongside another in a show of solidarity and alliance. On rare occasions, it may mean an act of heroism. Regardless, when we defend the vulnerable, we give our brothers and sisters a chance to become what God intends them to be.
In a small but significant way, we reflect the heart of God Himself.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 1:28-53
More:
Matthew 25:31-46 gives us insight into what matters to God, and Psalm 35:9-10 reveals how He cares for the defenseless.
Next:
How do you feel when you see others suffer? When someone else is the object of mockery? What will you do to show God’s love to the weak and vulnerable today?
roxanne robbins on April 12, 2011 at 12:57 am
Tim – I’m going to print out this devotional and hang it in our office here in Uganda so our team can be reminded about God’s heart for the weak and how He wants us to respond when we see the vulnerable in oppressive situations. Thank you!
tim gustafson on April 12, 2011 at 5:21 am
Roxanne, I just loved this story when I first read it. There’s something Christlike about defending others, and it’s especially exhilarating to me when I hear of a teacher who does so.
alegria on April 12, 2011 at 5:33 am
Wonderful story! It illustrates a point I have been trying to emphasize with my teens. Jesus was not afraid to be associated with the weak, the underdogs. What a lovely way to be reminded to reach out to the vulnerable. Thanks!
mprez2006 on April 12, 2011 at 6:14 am
excellent read!!
Clarence Wong on April 12, 2011 at 7:24 am
How Great is The Lord!
lak on April 12, 2011 at 7:34 am
Today, may our Lord grant me opportunity to see those who are bent and in need of His love and mercy.
May He also grant that with the sight, I will bow further to give whatever He has prepared through my willingness in His name.
tom felten on April 12, 2011 at 8:13 am
lak, love the compassion, humility, and surrender reflected in your words. They reveal a true heart for Jesus!
tim gustafson on April 12, 2011 at 7:51 am
We always take a risk when we give. And God’s Spirit does give us discernment about when we should give, if we will ask Him.
It’s interesting to me how standing up for the weak is so closely related to giving.
eppistle on April 12, 2011 at 8:10 am
God puts leaders into positions of power, not to get their own way, but to serve and defend the weak. In Ephesians 5:21, the Apostle Paul tells all Christians to submit to one another. It’s not just the wives, the children and the slaves that are to submit to their leaders; it’s also the husbands, parents and masters who are to submit to their followers. But leaders and followers do not submit to each other in the same way. Leaders submit by getting to know the needs of their followers and sacrificially provide the leadership to fulfill those needs. Followers submit by following that leadership (Ephesians 5:22-6:9).
foolforChrist on April 12, 2011 at 8:50 am
Thank you, Tim I love today’s read. 2 Timothy 1:7 states “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” I pray that in those moments when I need to speak up or act , that I can reflect the heart of God Himself.
Sometimes , I hesitate because of the environment I’m in, for example at work but I remember this verse and it helps a lot.
Deciding when to give is a big problem for me and I need God’s discernment in a few seconds because there is a homeless veteran at the red light asking for money and the light is about to change! Sometimes I find it is better to give a bag of clothing or food.
Holy Spirit, Please help me deny self and give me discernment to make the right decisions.
sowharvest on April 12, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Good devotional Tim
We we examine all that Jesus’ death & resurrection has done for us[ made us reconciled/substituted so that we might not feel wrath/atoned for all sins] in our most weakest and vulnerable state –of sin. How can we not having within us the presence of the Lord Jesus reach out and touch somebody’s life. I come to learn that we will never know how the Lord GOD may seek to use us. However just be chosen and that GOD thinks [like the teacher] what we can be is humbling. So I try (don’t always succeed) to touch in a life in positive way. And to me is starts with mere words of uplifting someone else. Awesome post. . GOD bless you Tim.
GChoo on April 12, 2011 at 12:20 pm
What an inspiring devotion and helpful responses! May i also add ‘prayer’ for those homeless people who ask for money that God will provide a way to change and transform their lives. Truly we need the Holy Spirit to give us discernment and boldness to defend the weak and vulnerable as we submit ourselves to the cause.
daisymarygoldr on April 12, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Have been in both situations. As a student, when others laughed at me, my teacher had defended me during a language class. In fact she went to the extent of saying that as a non-native, I was far better than them in speaking their mother tongue. I know she just meant to stick up for me by being nice but it went a long way to make me the person that I am today. And now when I find myself standing on the other side of the desk, it is my life’s motto to stand up for the ones who struggle. Those who laugh snidely behind others’ back do not get by me without getting a chunky piece of my mind.
And this wicked attitude to bully the weak is not a trait seen only in immature students. There are grown men and women that I know of who rally the whole group to gang up and pick on the minority. Somehow I can never relate to the sinister, evil spirit that makes people laugh at the misfortune of others. Those who laugh derisively at others will surely have their reward. And the ones who are laughed at should be encouraged to know this that they will get to have the last laugh.
I grew up among the weak and untouchables and noted a tendency of the strong to take advantage of the weak. They keeping them huddled into seclusion in order to exploit their weakness. This labor union leader-type mentality is not the mind of Christ and should not be encouraged within the body of Christ. There are some I have met who consider themselves weak but are loudly boorish, show intolerance and are envious, bitter, full of spite and cynical towards others. Jesus came to lift up the weak and the vulnerable. The oppressed are voiceless—like the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. And we must lend our voices for those who are truly defenseless.
As the Church, the strong must not sit in the pews and expect the helpless to stagger in through its doors. We must go out to seek, rescue, pick up, and help bring the weak into the fold. Once they are part of the church, we must be caring and nourish them to good health so they can stand up on their feet and stay strong. That is how we reflect the heart of God—to give our brothers and sisters a chance to become what God intends them to be.
tim gustafson on April 12, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Thanks again, everyone, for some particularly thoughtful and encouraging dialog. I’ve really enjoyed reading your contributions.
regina franklin on April 12, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Dear Tim,
Thanks for a timely devotional. I sincerely believe in the movements taking place in the body of Christ to bring justice to so many who need mercy around the world. However, sometimes I wonder if it is easier to care about those we do not have to be in close proximity to than those sitting in our own churches. God has not called us to an either / or but to a both / and. Thank you again for such an encouraging word today.
luckyluke on April 12, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Excellent story. It was reminded us the great sacrifice Jesus made to all human being. If He has die for us it is undoubted if we do a sacrifice to defend others.
“We live so that others may have life”
Thank for the story.
cricket41 on April 13, 2011 at 7:37 am
Wow. this literally touched my heart, made me cry, I too need to send this out or make copy. Thank you so very very much. We HAVE to defend them.