March 13
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. Matthew 14:13
Jesus was saddened and in all probability shocked by the horrible death of his cousin, John, and He experienced all the anguish any of us feel upon hearing the news of the death of a loved one and friend. He needed to get away alone to grieve privately. Perhaps He did not want to demonstrate any seeming lack of faith in showing His sadness; after all, much of the focus of His preaching had been about eternal life. We also know that Jesus wept when He learned that Lazarus had died before He could get to where Lazarus lived. We know that He understood He would be with John and Lazarus again. Why then was He so saddened when He knew where they were? Because Jesus was human; He was in His earthly form. He loved them both dearly! Of course He grieved! And more importantly, He showed us how to grieve.
It is instinctive to want to get away, to be alone with grief; for a time anyway. Jesus did also, but He spent little time dwelling on His own sadness. With the crowds following Him everywhere He went, and oblivious to what He might be experiencing, they continued to pursue Him; and Jesus responded. He focused on their needs and ministered to the throngs of people who reached out for Him. He continued to work tirelessly teaching and healing. By His example we are shown what is important in life, the significance of selflessly reaching out to help alleviate the needs of others, perhaps even more so when we are in a sorrowful situation. It is a vital step in our own healing.
Yes, there are times we need to withdraw privately; we need time alone with God; we need time to heal. Jesus has shown us by His own actions that when what we do is based on a foundation of faith, we can continue to work tirelessly doing God’s will in whatever circumstance we are in. It is in the doing that we bring God’s love to those around us. It is in taking action that theirs and our needs are met. How grateful we are for the solitary moments, but something to think about? For the “crowds” of need that follow us too.
Thank you God, for showing us the needs of others. They keep us from dwelling exclusively on our own.
"Needs"
I need the quiet of early morning to raise my heart to you;
to offer up the day ahead with its plans and problems too.
I need the busyness of mid-day with all its chaos and noise
to help me see more clearly my abilities, failings and joys.
I need the peace that comes with the night-time, to rest and to recall
all the day's events Lord, have I given you my all? KAM 1985
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson