Mr. Jones called a pastor whom he had never met to come by his house to pray for his wife.
“What’s wrong with your wife?” asked the pastor.
“She is very sick and extremely contagious. Can you come pray for her now?”
“Sure,” said the pastor. “But why didn’t you call your own pastor to come pray for your wife?”
“Like I told you, preacher, my wife is contagious. We don’t want to get our own pastor sick!”
The apostles said the following. “Above all, love each other deeply” (1 Peter 4:8). “My command is this: ‘Love each other as I have loved you’” (John 15:12).
Notice the emphasis on “each.” We are told to love every person – whether they are our pastor or someone else’s. And that extends to people who have hurt you. You are commanded to love them “deeply.” Jesus said to love them as he has loved you.
Recovery Step: Loving each other is a tall order. Loving the unlovable is not easy, but it is necessary. If you can’t do it for them, do it for yourself.
