May 10, 2012
John the Baptist is killed. Herod, the ruler of Galilee felt threatened by John the Baptist. John spoke truth to him but he didn't want to hear it. Instead of heeding the message, he wanted to kill the messenger. His wife Herodias (the ex-wife of Herod's brother) put a plan in motion. She would have John the Baptist killed—and she did. She manipulated her daughter and Herod to get what she wanted, and John the Baptist was killed.
When Jesus heard about what had happened, He was moved with compassion. He left in a boat to spend time alone. What a normal human response. Tragedy strikes—and He needed time alone. But instead of being able to be alone, the crowds followed him. Picture it. Jesus is in a boat, probably going across a lake to a secluded area. The crowds see Him and follow along the shore to get where He is going. Jesus can obviously see them coming. He's just found out the man who had come to prepare the way for Him was beheaded, and now here was a crowd of people where He had hoped to find solitude. His response? "He felt sorry for them and healed those who were sick."
He had every right to feel sorry for himself, but He didn't. Instead He had compassion on the crowds. He healed the sick. When the disciples saw it was getting late, they tried to send the people away so they had time to get to towns and have access to food. Jesus told them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16) Even though they walked with Jesus everyday, and even though they witnessed with their own eyes the many miracles Jesus did, they still had Jesus/God in a box. How much more do we have Jesus/God in a box? Our finite minds just cannot comprehend the infinite mind and boundless capabilities of God.
Addendum: 12/10/15 ~ Maybe it is a good thing we can't comprehend and therefore make assumptions upon God. I don't ever want to develop the attitude of "using" God for my own selfish purposes. HE is God—I am not. I want to continue to be amazed at HIS hand. Blessed be HIS name!
Next Entry: Matthew 14:1–36 (Continued)
John the Baptist is killed. Herod, the ruler of Galilee felt threatened by John the Baptist. John spoke truth to him but he didn't want to hear it. Instead of heeding the message, he wanted to kill the messenger. His wife Herodias (the ex-wife of Herod's brother) put a plan in motion. She would have John the Baptist killed—and she did. She manipulated her daughter and Herod to get what she wanted, and John the Baptist was killed.
When Jesus heard about what had happened, He was moved with compassion. He left in a boat to spend time alone. What a normal human response. Tragedy strikes—and He needed time alone. But instead of being able to be alone, the crowds followed him. Picture it. Jesus is in a boat, probably going across a lake to a secluded area. The crowds see Him and follow along the shore to get where He is going. Jesus can obviously see them coming. He's just found out the man who had come to prepare the way for Him was beheaded, and now here was a crowd of people where He had hoped to find solitude. His response? "He felt sorry for them and healed those who were sick."
He had every right to feel sorry for himself, but He didn't. Instead He had compassion on the crowds. He healed the sick. When the disciples saw it was getting late, they tried to send the people away so they had time to get to towns and have access to food. Jesus told them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16) Even though they walked with Jesus everyday, and even though they witnessed with their own eyes the many miracles Jesus did, they still had Jesus/God in a box. How much more do we have Jesus/God in a box? Our finite minds just cannot comprehend the infinite mind and boundless capabilities of God.
Addendum: 12/10/15 ~ Maybe it is a good thing we can't comprehend and therefore make assumptions upon God. I don't ever want to develop the attitude of "using" God for my own selfish purposes. HE is God—I am not. I want to continue to be amazed at HIS hand. Blessed be HIS name!
Next Entry: Matthew 14:1–36 (Continued)
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