Asking for Help

With heartfelt thanks to Kaylene, at The Soul Care Institute. 

I am thirsty. John 19:28

Jesus was very good at asking for help. He was the prime example of vulnerable asking.

 

These words from my friend stopped the breath in my throat. I had never, ever, considered this before.

Jesus, asking for help?

He asked the disciples to go find a donkey for him at the Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem.

He asked to borrow someone’s room for the Last Supper.

He asked his disciples to please go with him to the Garden of Gethsemane, to wait with Him.

He asked for help from the cross. Twice.

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom Jesus loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household. John 19:26

In fact, asking for help was His last act before uttering His final words.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop, and brought it up to His mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit. John 19:28-30

I find this truth staggering because I find asking for help excruciating.

Do you relate?

Why would Jesus ask for help? He clearly did not need it. He is God.

Why would God ask humans for help?

My mentor continued.

His vulnerability was full of hospitality; Jesus gave others the capacity to do the things He was doing.

Jesus invited others to join Him in His work, rather than remain mere onlookers. By asking for #help, He invited people to be part of His life, His work, and His glory. Click To Tweet

Asking for help was hospitable. 

Wow.

I had to think long and hard about this. I thought hospitality meant I did all the helping. I love hospitality. I delight in it. Or so I thought.

If what my friend is saying is right, then maybe I don’t have the gift of hospitality after all.

Do you need help today? Is asking for help difficult for you? Maybe God is inviting you to a different kind of hospitality: welcoming others into your life through your needs today.

(Ouch.)

Some must learn to take care of themselves early in life, forming fierce independence that makes asking for help almost impossible. Others have the gift of helps and are much more comfortable giving than receiving. 

But there are seasons of life when we need help. We have a choice: we can remain alone, or we can ask for help and invite others to walk alongside us. It is hospitable to ask for help. When we do, we welcome others into what God is doing in our lives. We become side-by-side witnesses of His grace and glory. We grow together.

This is hot-off-the-press, just-learned-truth from my heart to yours. I hope it helps today:).

Lord, thank you for modeling vulnerable asking. Give me the courage to ask for help. Amen.

@audreycfrank