We have heard from many people, both whom this story has touched, and others that have had opportunities to speak of Christ because of this story. I am reminded that helping others physically, emotionally, and spiritually is not a responsibility given to some, it’s a command to all. In fact, loving other people is the second greatest commandment, only second to loving God Himself. (Mark 12:31) When done properly, it’s actually even an identifier of our love for God and of our identity as one of His children. This love is to be demonstrated, not at the expense or omission of Biblical truth (meaning that you cannot “sin alongside” another person in order to “reach” them), but it is truly to be done at the expense of ourselves and our desires if necessary. Loving our “neighbor” as ourselves was demonstrated by Jesus far more than it was commanded. He healed the lame, sick, and blind, He washed the disciple’s feet, in order to instill a heart of service towards others (which is “servanthood”). Then ultimately His life culminated with His own sacrificial death on the cross, so that, “Any who call on the name of the Lord, will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Truly, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. (John 15:13)
As Jesus demonstrated His love for others, both in His life and sacrificial death, He also left us with one last clear set of commands before leaving this earth. Those commands given, just before His ascension into heaven, were to GO into all the world teaching the truth of Christ that leads to salvation, BAPTIZE the new believers, which is an outward identifying of the change within, and TEACH them, or maybe we could say “disciple” them in a life of obedience to the things that He commanded. (Matthew 28:19-20) These commands are prefaced with the truth that, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth” (vs. 18) then concluded with His promise that, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (vs. 20) Just for a bit of bonus material here, the word “lo” is often probably overlooked, but according to the Oxford dictionary on my phone, it says that this word is an archaic word, “used to draw attention to an interesting or amazing event”. So He is saying, go, baptize, and teach and always remember, or pay special attention to the fact that He is with us always.
One day, when I was considering a variety of things, it dawned on me that although Jesus healed so many and even raised some from the dead, yet all those people still died eventually. After considering this for some time, I believe that these miracles were not primarily intended for just the person who was in need of help, but also to gather a crowd to which He then could impart, “the Living Water” or “the Words of Life”. Although He did miracles, there still was a physical price to be paid for the sin of “the first man Adam” and that was physical death. (I Corinthians 16:22) Mankind was given the ability to choose obedience or disobedience, life or death. I also considered why that might be, after all, would not mandatory “natural” obedience be easier? Let’s go back a few years here to when I was dating my, wife to be. Simply put, I wanted her love. Now large sums of money couldn’t buy “true love”, my “good looks” were not going to get me far, and heroic acts of courage or even death-defying stunts could not get me the love required. Love was a choice, and it was a choice that only she could make, despite myself. So, during this time I thought, is there something that God could not make for Himself? Perhaps I am out on a limb here, but “true love” is not something that He could “give or manufacture” for Himself. It could only be given by another, willingly. This necessity of a choice then required man to have a will and an option to sin. Adam had to choose obedience or disobedience, life or death, love or selfishness. Unfortunately, he chose disobedience, and the consequences of death in our lives are a result. So, Jesus did miracles to gather a crowd, based on faith of those wanting to be healed, and helped lots of people, yet the physical cost of sin remained because man chose sin, and death is a consequence. (Romans 6:23) Jesus’ death and resurrection, however, demonstrated His love for us, and further offered a “new life” to all who choose to accept it. (Romans 5:8, Romans 10:13) That life then is marked by the two things from earlier, a love for Him and then a love for others.
Let’s bring this together. We have the opportunity to choose to love God. If we choose the salvation He offers us, then we are to be marked by a love for others that resembles His love for us, and them. The means by which others hear of this love is by we, as believers in the Lord, going, baptizing, and teaching. The story of our daughter’s life that has brought us together at this time, is more than a special human interest story. It’s a “tool” by which we all can spread the “good news” of salvation. The Lord saw fit to take Hannah home, and also to “spread her story for His glory.” Honoring Him privately and publicly is a responsibility that we all share. As you go throughout your day, please share of Jesus’ love to others as the opportunities arise, and if this story of Hannah “opens the door”, walk right on in. As the gospel spread person-to-person from the day Jesus gave His great commission, it must continue to be transferred the same way today.
We are blessed.
Hannah Helps 