“They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’” (Luke 7:16)

The word help is defined as ‘to give assistance or support to, to make more pleasant or bearable, and to rescue or save.’ (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003)

Luke recorded a time when Jesus was teaching. He addressed the people and explained how they were to build their lives. “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” (Luke 6:47-48)

Jesus is then confronted by two people in crisis. The first was a Roman Centurian who was a commander and a man of strength, whose valued servant was gravely ill and about to die. Next, by a grieving widow, whose only son had died and the funeral was happening now. She was one who had lost both her husband and her only son. She was a person in weakness and great need. It does not matter our station in life. We all have needs beyond ourselves where we need help.

The Centurian was humble, not feeling worthy to come to Jesus, expressed his faith and Jesus healed his servant from a distance. Jesus came to the grieving widow and with compassion raised her son from the dead. Jesus came and offered His help.

Jesus has come to bring help to each of us. His help begins in our lives as He comes to offer us a new life as He forgives us and brings to us salvation which will give us His help through all eternity. Now, as we are learning to live in this new life, He is always with us to help. The writer of Hebrews would tell us. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s 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) Through mercy and grace, Jesus is there to help us as we face both temptations and crises in our lives.

Jesus is not only present for us to rely upon; He has also given us the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us to help us with our lives. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17) There are many reasons for our trials in life. The Holy Spirit will guide us to see these reasons. Here are some reasons we face difficulties. It can be because we have sinned. The Spirit will lead us to the truth and Jesus will apply His mercy and grace when we come seeking forgiveness. Other trials come because we live in a world that is filled with sin and rebellion against God. It is here that Jesus comes to offer us His strength to face these challenges. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Trials also come because this world is temporary. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

Whatever you face as we follow Jesus, keep in mind and heart that you have a Savior and the indwelling Holy Spirit to help you every day.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block