It’s been a full day, Father, and I’m taking the time now to sit down and see what You have for me today. May my heart be bent to Your teaching. Amen.
Matthew 14:13-14 (<<click the green)
Lord, a particular incident in Your life comes to mind as I read through this passage. (It is recorded in both Matthew 8:23-27 and in Mark 4:35-41.) You are in a boat with Your disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee and You are so tired that You fall asleep. You are so dead tired that a storm threatening to swamp the boat doesn’t wake You…but the need of Your companions does.
In today’s passage, “as soon as [You] heard the news [of John’s death], [You] left in a boat to a remote area to be alone.” You were exhausted. You were in mourning. Your cousin and predecessor, John was dead. The evils of sin were victorious once more…and John’s life was forfeit.
All you wanted to do was to get away from it all for a bit – You needed some alone time. We all surely do in those times of life. But did You get what You sought after? No… When “the crowds heard where [You were] headed” they “followed on foot from many towns.”
I’m sorry to say that my response would probably have been less than cordial. I probably would have changed course and headed to another area of coastline. I probably would have been perturbed (putting it mildly). But You? You “saw the huge crowd” and “had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Just like You did on the boat in the storm, You didn’t think of yourself. You saw the needs of others. You, who had every right to put yourself first, stepped back and took care of our needs. You sacrificed so that our needs might be met. You calmed the storms…and You still do. Your compassion shines through – beyond Your weariness and grief – and You heal our sicknesses…and You still do.
Lord Jesus, first of all, thank You for Your unsurpassable love. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for giving Your all to meet our need. And then secondly, I pray for me. Open my eyes. Soften my heart. May I have compassion on those around me who may not even know their need of a Savior. May I point them to You. Amen.
May 9th, 2018, Wed, 8:22 pm
