I was introduced to this term: the ministry of presence, when a young couple in our church began a ministry to the homeless people they encountered on the streets of Chicago around where they lived. It began simply by reaching out to one or two, talking to them, inviting them to church, providing Sunday lunch for them, and it grew to over 60 homeless people they served every weekend.

I love their story because it’s such a clear example of what Jesus would do. Jesus would see the needs on his doorstep, as Justin and Tara did, and he would start helping them in any way he could. In telling me their story, Justin said he had come to understand what the ministry of presence means.

You see, he made it a habit to invite one of his homeless friends to run errands with him, when possible, as he went about his everyday work and routine. One day he invited one of the guys to join him, took him along, stopped for coffee and a donut, and just generally spent some time together. No agenda, no specific purpose other than to be with this man who was homeless. As they made rounds that day, the homeless man said to him, “All my life I’ve been told I am worthless and no good; they told me I was stupid, and nobody would ever like me. But I don’t believe that anymore.” Justin asked him why, and he said, “Because if I was worthless, you wouldn’t hang out with me.”

Justin’s willingness to simply be with this man gave him a new understanding of his worth as a person. Justin went on to say what homeless people need more than anything else is not money or food, but it is a relationship—someone to simply be with them and care about them.

You know, that’s true for most of us, isn’t it? You and I need other people in our lives just to validate our worth. Can you imagine how you would feel if you believed other people did not want to be with you? The ministry of presence is real—and it’s just what Jesus would do—what he did do when he was on earth. Think of the many stories in the Gospels where Jesus was just “hanging out” with people—some of whom were considered undesirable. There was Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene and the woman he met at the well, to mention just a few.

This is one ministry you can embrace—the ministry of presence. You and I can simply choose to be present in the lives of people who need to know they are loved by us and by God. You don’t have to preach or teach or solve their problems; you just need to be there for them and then see what God will do through you. This is a ministry every Christ-follower should take seriously, and every one of us is qualified and equipped for this ministry.

Galatians 6:2 describes it this way: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. When we care enough about someone to carry their burden, we are practicing the ministry of presence—simply being there for others, sharing their sorrows, as well as increasing their joys by our presence. This is the fulfillment of the law of Christ, the teaching of Jesus.

In John 13:34 Jesus said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. The disciples knew the old commandments—the law which included the Ten Commandments. But this was a new commandment—note, not a suggestion—that Jesus gave them and us, and it should be a hallmark of our lives as Christ-followers.

So, to fulfill the law of Christ, this new commandment, you and I need to know and practice the ministry of presence—being there for people and showing them love in action. Love that comes from Jesus through us to them.

So, what I want to ask you today is: What person in your life right now could use your presence? What person needs to know someone cares and hasn’t forgotten them? Stop right now, if you can, and let God’s Spirit reveal that person to you. Perhaps a name popped right into your mind; if not, ask God to reveal that person to you.