The Ministry of Comfort
John 11:19
“And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.”
One of the greatest ministries that will bring the greatest satisfaction is the ministry of comfort. I call it a ministry because it should be something that you regularly do like any other ministry. Knowing that you have comforted the hurting in their time of pain or sorrow will bring one of the most satisfying feelings that you can experience.
In the verse above, Lazarus had passed away. Jesus delayed his visit with Lazarus so that He could use it as an opportunity to show His power and deity. After Lazarus died, there were some who came to comfort Martha and Mary. It is interesting that those who came to comfort them were not successful, but when Jesus came they received the comfort they needed. The presence of Jesus gave them the comfort they needed for their difficult time. Let me give you some thoughts on how to comfort those who are hurting.
First, yield to the Holy Spirit of God. John 15:26 says, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” Notice the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. You will never succeed in comforting people without yielding to the Holy Spirit. He is the source of comfort, and you will fail in giving comfort to those who are hurting and broken.
Second, you must be in the place of those who need comfort if you are going to be a minister of comfort. It’s hard to give comfort when you are not with those who are hurting. Christian, you can either live your life wrapped around yourself, or you can be in the place of those who are hurting. If you are too busy to be with people during their time of hurt, then you will never be able to comfort them.
Third, the most successful way to give comfort is to point people to Jesus. Notice, it was Jesus Whose presence gave Martha and Mary comfort. You will never succeed in giving comfort when you point to man. Only Jesus can give the comfort that the hurting need.
All around you are people who are hurting. If you will open your ears and listen, you will find there are people everywhere whose lives are filled with hurt. I have found if I will simply listen to people when they talk that I will find those who are hurting. When I hear someone is hurting, then I do my best to yield to the Holy Spirit and do what I can to give them the comfort they need. Sometimes it is words from Scripture that the Holy Spirit leads me to say. Sometimes it is to let them know that you are praying for them. Then there are times when I just need to be silent and be with them during their time of need. I challenge you to enter the ministry of comfort, and do what you can to help heal the brokenhearted.