Sabbath Devotional :: Am I One of the People Who Helps?

One of my Jewish friends mentioned, ‘the Anne Frank game’, but I didn’t know it was a widespread phenomenon until I saw a video about it in the Anne Frank House and Museum in Amsterdam.

It’s not an official game — that would be crass — but a conversation that crops up among Jewish friends all over the world originating with the question, “Who would be the five helpers in your life?”

As you know, the Frank family and others were assisted by five beloved helpers who sacrificed their time, money, safety and risked their lives to protect friends and strangers. When rereading the diary this summer, I was amazed over and over by the generosity of these helpers. They supplied not only needs, but the wants and desires of those they were helping. Even when struggling with significant challenges of their own, they brought cheer and optimism to those in hiding. Anne writes, “They come upstairs every day and talk to the men about business and politics, to the women about food and wartime difficulties and to the children about books and newspapers. They put on their most cheerful expressions, bring flowers and gifts for birthdays and holidays and are always ready to do what they can.”

Examples like these inspire us to ask ourselves, “Am I one of the people who helps?” At MWEG we step outside our comfort zone to lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen those with feeble knees. As we go forward, it’s worth asking ourselves, “Who do I want to be?”

Christ has given us the answer, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visitedme: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:35-40