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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. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:13-14
One of the most admirable qualities of Jesus in his earthly ministry was his compassion for people. He was able to identify with the desperation of people in need, and then he personally acted on that compassion. I like to think I have his compassion, but I know I fall far short. I wish I had it!
Can you relate? Do you struggle with compassion for others around you who are in need? Do you have “compassion fatigue?” I think we all do at one time or another.
Unfortunately, we have to battle our own selfishness. It’s hard to balance our own “needs” and still care for others around us who may be asking more of us than we are comfortable with. Either way, it’s hard to just ignore the needs of others, isn’t it? Just look around on the street corners, even on our own church property, and even within our congregation – needs, both financially, but also spiritually and emotionally. There is such great need! It can feel overwhelming to the point we may even want to shut down, or shut it out, and ignore it, hoping someone else will deal with it. Am I right?
In this Bible passage, Jesus is grieving the loss of his cousin John the Baptist – a huge loss. But he is also fully aware that John's execution is a foreshadow of his own execution. Rather than ignoring the needy and hungry crowd, he ministers to them – preaching, healing, and even feeding more than 5000 people. He did a miracle that day. I believe God still does miracles all around us, but we often don’t see them, or even realize God did it!
We also know that Jesus took time away from the crowd to be alone with his Father. It wasn’t selfish, it was necessary! Sabbaths remind us that we all need our rest, a break from work. But more than that, we need that time to spend in communion with God our Father. It is time or prayer, study, and reflection that recharges us, fills us, and empowers us to go right back into the world with grace, mercy, and even… compassion! That’s why we gather for worship on Sundays, we are looking for God’s help!
Are you under a heavy load of stress? Come to Jesus, find rest. Is the world overwhelming you? Find peace by casting your burdens on Jesus – his shoulders are big enough to take it all. Are you worn out, weary of the needs of the world, and short of compassion? Find comfort in knowing God cares for you.
He may also use you to bring comfort, joy, and peace to others around you. You maybe the bearer of God’s compassion – like the disciples were as they shared the loaves and fish to the crowds. Let God use you to do his miracles of compassion this week!
In the name of Jesus;
Pastor Dan
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Join us for worship this Sunday at First Evangelical and Holy Cross Churches. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining the churches, please contact one of the pastors or the church office. We will be welcoming new members in worship on August 23rd. Let’s celebrate all that God is doing with us!
- Help kids at Conniston Middle School bygathering items for our “Back to School Supplies Drive” through the end ofAugust – Drop off items include: mesh backpacks, 6 tab dividers, 1 subjectspiral notebooks, three hole punch pencil pouches, three hold punch rulers,sharpened #2 pencils, magic rub erasers, black-blue-red pens, college rulednotebook paper, reinforcement labels, glue sticks, highlighters. Please leavethem on the table and in the boxes at the back of the church.
- Mark your calendars for our “Back to SchoolBlessing” on Sunday, August 9th after worship. We will have special arts &crafts, games and more, for kids, parents and adults during the lunch hour.Invite families with children to join us for this special day, and register for“Flame”, our weekly Sunday School for elementary-aged kids.
- The Sunflower Christian Academy, just a fewblocks east of us, are enrolling students for this fall’s school year. Theywill have an information table set up on August 9th for anyone interested toknow more. They served PreK3 to 2nd grade, offer microschool for specialabilities, after school programs for 5-12 year olds, and summer camp.www.scawpb.com
