The unspoken agony of being ignored or invisible can crush a person.
Paul says we live in a world where everyone is looking out for themselves, and it’s rare to see genuine concern for others (Philippians 2:20–21). People do occasionally snap out of this mindset in moments of tragedy or loss, to meet needs or share a burden. But, for the most part, our culture is steeped in skepticism, suspicion, and self-interest.
The plague of today is not that people think badly of you. It’s that people aren’t thinking of you at all. And if we let ourselves, we’ll spiral into bitterness and resentment, always wondering when the right person will come along who truly sees and seeks us.
The astounding thing of it all is that the concern we desire from others is the very thing Jesus calls us to have It’s not the same sting that comes from rejection or hatred, nor is it the blows of attack. Instead, being overlooked brings a profound ache that means you're not just misunderstood… you’re not even considered. others, whether or not we receive it ourselves.
What would it look like for you to live with genuine concern for others like Jesus?
The very nature of being interruptible is that you stop pursuing your own agenda to help another pursue theirs. You open yourself up to the needs of others and make yourself available to what may be asked of you.
Jesus did this all the time. He was the most important person on the planet with the most urgent mission in history, and yet He always stopped to attend to the sick, the marginalized, and the desperate.
In doing so, He showed the world that other people (especially those on the fringes of society) matter. They matter so much that the God of the cosmos sent His only Son to seek and save them (Luke 19:10). He came to rescue the weak and weary (Matthew 11:28-30).
Your pain and needs are not a distraction to Jesus. How do you feel when confronted with the pain and needs of others?
Being consistent with your care is more than just faithfully meeting needs when they arise. It’s going out of your way repeatedly to seek the needs of others. You become a pursuer, rather than a responder.
Having genuine, consistent concern for others means you’re not just caring for people on your own time or when someone works up the courage to ask for something. You become sensitive to the needs, desires, and contexts of the people around you, and you seek to care for them.
Jesus had consistent compassion for others. In the Gospels, He is continually moved to the point of action—whether somebody asks for help or not. His proclamation of the gospel and tangible healing were empowered by His continual, genuine compassion for the crowds before Him (Matthew 9:35–36).
You have a Savior who always cares for you. Reflect His love by faithfully caring for others.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our sermon series guide on the book of Philippians, or watch the most recent sermon from our Philippians sermon series.
