Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
2 Corinthians 11:29
Paul poured himself into the lives of those to whom the gospel ministry enmeshed his heart. For him, ministry was both highly public (he preached in synagogues and marketplaces, before rulers and crowds; he wrote intensive epistles full of doctrine, encouragement, and strong rebuke when needed) and his ministry was balanced by being intensely personal (he cared for leaders and individuals, naming them with affection in his writings; he built close ministry teams and trusted them). This led to deep engagement in the messiness of lives.
Paul uses two phrases to show how this type of intense ministry connection affected him: “daily pressures” and “my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28). Emotionally, gospel ministry is a high stakes game. It requires an “all-in” kind of commitment. It is personally, emotionally, and spiritually risky and draining. And it will take a toll. The pressures are real. The anxiety is real and rises up. And we must feel with and care for those to whom God has joined to us in dynamic discipleship and mutual ministry.
When a fellow believer is weak, we identify with their weakness and long for God to strengthen us together. We suffer mutually with them. If a ministry partner is made to stumble (even publicly… the Greek work for “made to fall” is related to the word for scandal), we feel the embarrassment and the burning desire to correct it and see repentance and restoration. Ministry is not for those who want no risk and just enjoy fun times for free. It is costly.
Lord knows I have the occasional sleepless night as I have felt the weakness of a dear saint or grieved the fall of a brother. I’ve come alongside in grief and loss, in sorrow and pain, in fear and confusion, in sin and regret, to express my empathy and point to Jesus. And I have had others consistently do the same when I have been the weak, hurting, or faltering one!
Intensive mutual ministry is a powerful and purposeful story. It is an exciting experience and the stuff of life! I’m so glad God calls the church together to such deep connection. I am intensely sad that so many settle for superficial mega-church peripheral inspiration that often has spirituality but little Jesus and does not demand deep connection. Or they fall for an insidious political MAGA-church scandalous misdirection that feels big or important, but is instead very petty and small without Jesus. The deep personal connection with believers around us is all our hearts were made for! It isn’t easy. We will feel it deeply. It is totally worth it.
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