S. Matthew 14:12-21
12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basket-fulls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
O. I think Jesus may have been grieving the loss of His cousin, John the Baptist. Jesus was in a place by himself (on a boat). However a large number of people followed Him. He had compassion on them and healed them.
— Jesus paused from his own needs to minister to others.
A. There are times that it is good to get away to private places and simply be alone with God. However, it is also good to pause from our troubles to care for others. Jesus teaches by example - showing compassion for others and caring for them above our own needs.
P. Thank you Father for Jesus’ example of compassion and serving others. Holy Spirit fill me with wisdom to have such compassion for others. In Jesus’ name!
