Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church
Galatians 6:2 – This Sunday’s Sermon in the Gospel of Luke
Bear One Another’s Burden
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
I’m excited about Saturday morning worship. This week we look into Luke’s account of another story Jesus told. It’s a tale of two men. One was rich. One was a beggar and the only comfort he received was when dogs came and licked the sores covering his body.
Today a homeless man came to our door with a prescription for antibiotics. It was dated from 4 days ago when he spent a few hours at an e.r and was sent away. Through a conversation with him , he tried to roll up his pants legs and the fabric was almost glued to his legs. He shortened the pants with scissors and cried in pain as they came loose from his bleeding skin. Jimmy and I both agreed his legs are the worst condition we’ve ever seen. Horrible scabs and bleeding and large black spots all over his legs.
He was transparent and honest. His condition is from shooting up street drugs laced with fentanyl. We called our Shades friend Dr. Smiddy who documented photos and is making an appointment for wound care. We’ve known the man for 8 years. He is 42 years old and been incarcerated 3 times recently. I prayed with him and his buddy walked over to our altar table and knelt to pray. The young man told me his mother had died a Christian woman. He was born and raised in Kingsport.
I had been writing my sermon as I had time in between guests at the door. The encounter late this afternoon brought the gospel lesson home in a graphic way. He was lying at our gate today. It was an opportunity to reach out with love to the least of these. As my sermon will say, it’s time to lay the hatred down and get it away from us. Stop pointing fingers at who is doing what and simply see a lonely soul dying in the very shadows of the ‘church.’ building. Don’t allow the dogs to do what we are unwilling to do.
“Link to YouTube Video – Jesus Hold My Hand
