Befriending Lonely People

“All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?” [1]

John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics for the song, “Eleanor Rigby.” The song seems to mock at one point a Father McKenzie because he does nothing for all the lonely people. In fact, he seems lonely too. The song offers no hope or call for change. It just exposes a problem that exists in the world. There are lonely people in the world whose loneliness is not being addressed or cured at this moment.

When Jesus walked on earth, He was mocked by some religious leaders as a friend of sinners. [2] When asked by messengers of an imprisoned man if He was the Messiah, Jesus responded with a report of meeting the needs of people. He said, “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” [3] Jesus cares about lonely and needy people. His servants are still ministering to such people today all over this world.

The followers of Jesus share with lonely people that God loves them and sent His Son to pay for their sins on the cross! They tell lonely people of the Holy Spirit who fills believers in Christ with love, joy, and peace. Yes, there are faithful servants of the Lord in the world. They befriend lonely people and invite them into fellowship with God and His people.

The Apostle John wrote of God bringing him and the apostles into fellowship with Him through Jesus His Son. He then extends that invitation to others because he wants their joy to be full.

“That which was from the beginning [namely Jesus Messiah], which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” [4]

There is immense joy in knowing God in a personal way. There is extraordinary joy when people who know God befriend you and demonstrate His love for you by word and deed. May the Lord help us to be that kind of follower of Jesus for all the lonely people.

[1] John Lennon / Paul McCartney, Eleanor Rigby lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
[2] Matthew 11:19
[3] Matthew 11:5
[4] 1 John 1:1-4