Serving Others
Good Morning,
When news came to Jesus that John the Baptist was beheaded, our Lord went away, we assume to grieve.
Matthew 14:13 “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart...”
Jesus spoke wonderfully of John. Jesus gave John great compliments and said there was no greater man born to a woman than him. A closeness also existed between them – they were cousins, and they were very close. John was the first one to recognize Jesus and respond to His presence (Luke 1:41). The news of John’s unjust death touched our Saviour’s heart. He went to grieve, and people followed Him. What happened next? Great sorrow had entered the world of our Saviour. What should the perfect Son of God do now? Notice the rest of verse 13:
“...and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.”
vs. 14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
Jesus grieved, but His heart was touched with compassion for others who were also hurting; He turned from His own grief to care for the suffering of others.
No doubt, sorrow is present in the lives of most people. A time will come when we sit back and absorb the shock and the hurt, and then ask the questions, “Why did this happen?” and “How did this happen?” (among other questions). What we do next is the big issue. How do we respond? Jesus turned His eyes on the hurting of His world and started ministering to their hurt, leaving His own behind.
The doctors who lose a patient to death must have some sorrow in their hearts, but those same doctors probably have another patient immediately needing their skills; the doctors must deal with the grief and go on to help someone else who needs them.
The policemen who deal with tragic situations feel pain inside for the mess they deal with; yet, when another call comes requiring immediate action (regardless of where those policemen were hours or days before), they must focus their concern and attention on the new situation.
Early in my ministry, I made a foolish statement while conversing with a widow: I said, “It takes a long time to get over losing your spouse doesn’t it?” She corrected me and said, “You don’t get over it!” Right then, I learned that we may not get over our grief, but we can get through it as that dear widow did. After a time, we can gain strength and begin to serve others again.
Jesus went aside for a time after hearing of the unjust demise of His cousin and friend, John, but the needs of the multitudes pressed on His heart, and He had to lay aside His grief to help people.
May we also see the hurting world around us, and as God gives grace, serve them as our ability allows us to.
Pastor