Visiting the Sick and COVID-19: Guidance from Mr. Wesley
Photo by Daan Stevens on Unsplash
In the depths of his collected writings, John Wesley’s sermon “On Visiting the Sick” is not likely to surface as one of his more well read works. Yet in the midst of COVID-19 this particular sermon is worth a closer inspection. While primarily aimed at addressing the importance of ministering to the ill, whom he broadly defines as “all such as are in a state of affliction, whether of mind or body,” his sermon can be more generally read as a discourse on the role of works of mercy in the Christian life. In a season where ‘visiting the sick’ has been a challenging task, Wesley’s sermon reminds us of the importance of ministries of care and compassion in the church, and encourages us to think creatively about how to offer hope to the hurting and witness to the good news of Christ through acts of mercy.
Wesley begins his sermon by locating the work of visiting the sick as a means of grace in the Christian life. Through these “channels,” God imparts grace that keeps believers strong in the faith and steadfast in their love for God and one another. When God’s means of grace are neglected, one’s faith becomes “weak and feeble-minded.” For Wesley, visiting the sick, and works of mercy in general, are not extracurricular to the Christian life. They are as necessary as prayer and worship in order that grace may strengthen the believer in faith and love.
“The walking herein [to do good works (Eph. 2:10)] is essentially necessary, as to the continuance of that faith whereby we ‘are’ already ‘saved by grace,’ so to the attainment of everlasting salvation.”
There is no separation in Wesley between who one is and what one does in Christ. Because of this, the work of visiting the sick cannot be left to a designated few. All Christians have a part to play in caring for persons facing affliction. Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:31-46 underscores the significance of why all must take part in works of mercy: what one does for the sick, the poor, and the imprisoned, one does for Christ himself. By serving, one draws near to Christ, and is sanctified through this means of grace.
In light of his claim that all Christians ought to visit the sick, he turns to responding to an obvious question: is it not enough to send help? Is visitation necessary? Here Wesley acknowledges that circumstances may require this at times. He writes of such circumstances, “where this is the real case it is undoubtedly sufficient for them to send help, being the only expedient they can use.” Ultimately, the wellbeing of the ill person is the primary concern, and when one’s physical presence is prevented, whatever can be done to provide for the needs of the hurting must be exercised. In today’s pandemic, Wesley’s deference to the needs of the one who is sick stands out as sage wisdom. And while caring ministries in the church have had to adapt in this season of ‘distancing,’ the focus remains the same: providing for what physical and spiritual needs of the sick can be met.
However, the Christian is not off the hook on visiting just yet. Circumstances being taken into account, Wesley spends the remainder of the sermon demonstrating precisely why the Christian’s physical presence amongst the sick is essential. For the believer, Wesley argues that in the physical presence of those facing affliction, the effect is that Christians remain steadfast in their love for their ill neighbors. Without looking upon those in need, “You could not gain that increase in lowliness, in patience, in tenderness of spirit, in sympathy with the afflicted, which you might have gained if you had assisted them in person.” To stay away, not to see the afflictions upon one’s neighbor, is inevitably to lead to ignorance of the neighbor’s plight and an absence of self-giving love. The colloquial phrase “out of sight, out of mind” best captures the danger that Wesley foresees in not attending to the sick in person. Love for Wesley is born out of experience, in this case the experience of being a witness to suffering.
The challenge for the church today in the era of “social distancing” is how to keep the hurting neighbor in the sight and in the mind of the faithful in order that those who suffer are not deprived of aid and the faithful do not “lose a means of grace.” Interestingly, Wesley takes time to dwell upon the root form of the word “visit,” which means to “look upon.” And while in Wesley’s age “looking upon” required one’s physical presence, that no longer must be the case in a technological age. Given the circumstances of the pandemic, being able to speak and see others without risk of spreading the disease has been a blessing. Nevertheless, the church should not mistake the circumstantial need to use technology as a permanent alternative to physical presence. For Wesley, physical presence also brings physical help and greater awareness of the need for care and compassion. Wesley alludes in his sermon to the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), who “pass by on the other side” of the beaten man. Being physically present to suffering teaches sympathy that allows one to act as the Samaritan, who drew near the beaten and provided for his well-being.
Visitation, Wesley insists, must be covered in prayer. Preceding the visit, one must become convinced of the necessity of relying on God to provide all that is needed in the work, lest one should direct the work toward one’s own glory. Prayer prepares the heart of the faithful for service by orienting them to the presence of God in the visit and by supplying the patience and meekness necessary to be present in the midst of suffering which may cause anguish, anger, and discouragement. One must especially pray with the sick. “Above all, give them your prayers. Pray with them; pray for them! And who knows but you may save their souls alive?”
What one should do when visiting the sick is a matter of discerning the circumstances of the situation and the talents which God has given for the work. For some, Wesley muses, it may be attending to some physical need or labor; for others, it may be providing counsel or advocating the needs so that others might join in the caring. The latter opportunity is particularly worth consideration these days when visiting in person is difficult. Wesley encourages that Christians ought “never be ashamed to beg for the poor; yea, in this case, be an importunate beggar – do not easily take a denial. Use all the address, all the understanding, all the influence you have.” In the end, the kind of work that is done is not as important as the fact that in the “labours of love” one has begun to offer hope to the person who is ill.
Once that spark of hope has been given, the Christian may then attend to the needs of the person’s soul. Here again the circumstances of the situation will be the determining factor in how the conversation unfolds. In trademark fashion, Wesley’s main concern is for the person to know the personal nature of God’s love. He invites the Christian to explain that “[God] knows all you suffer; he knows all your pains; he sees all your wants. He sees, not only your affliction in general, but every particular circumstance of it. Is he not looking down from heaven, and disposing all these things for your profit?” [emphasis added]. In being instructed in the faith, the sick find spiritual healing as they receive grace from God.
Wesley concludes the sermon by returning to the topic of who should perform the duty of visiting the sick. The answer by now is clear: all who follow Jesus and seek the kingdom of God must be participants in this work. Young and old, rich and poor, men and women: all are exhorted by Wesley to use their unique gifts to attend to the physical and spiritual needs of those who are sick. The opportunity is open to all not only to serve, but to become recipients of grace through his channel God has given. Those who have experienced suffering themselves have wisdom to share. Those with strength of body may assist those who have no strength. Those with the gift of time have spare time to be present. As all are in Christ Jesus, so all ought to “bear a part in this honorable service.” Here he speaks particularly and directly against the notion that women “are to be seen, not heard.” Drawing on the work of women cited in Scripture and the early church, Wesley exhorts women to “Yield not to that vile bondage any longer,” affirming God’s calling to women to the work of ministry and the proclamation of the kingdom.
In a season where “visiting the sick” has been a challenging task for pastors and church visitation teams, Wesley’s sermon offers a word of encouragement to become creative in the task and persevere through the difficulties faced in ministry today. Access to those in hospitals and nursing homes has become next to impossible for the church. Even immediate family struggle to visit their loved ones. The need for the church to bring hope in the midst of such circumstances is great. Despite COVID-19, the work of caring must continue.
Adam Muckleroy is the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Canton, TX and a student of church history at Perkins School of Theology.