A Daily Devotion for Wednesday, March 4
- ontrakk
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Matthew 14:12-21
John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
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.
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.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. 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. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
The devotion writer brings up something that has never occurred to me. He points out that Jesus was grieving the immediate loss of his cousin John, but still healed the sick, fed the 5000, walked on water and saved Peter’s life all before finally being able to rest. There was no one giving Jesus a break. Sometimes it is necessary to take care of ourselves before we can take care of anyone else. We are human, after all. But Jesus shows us that thinking of others and doing for others needs to be our starting point. Sometimes when we are hurting, being helpful to others helps us to keep our concerns in perspective and helps us to heal. Jesus provides us with so many perfect examples of how to be. I am so thankful.
Holy Lord, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. We know how to be and how to do this life from His many examples and teachings. May I continue to learn and become a more compassionate human being. Help me to persevere on the path toward sanctification. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 14:12-21
Put into the broader context of trying to find some solitude to grieve John’s murder, the compassion Jesus showed for thousands of strangers is staggering. I was trying to think of another lesson here in addition to the standard teaching about God’s abundance and the saw that Becky framed it perfectly. “Sometimes when we are hurting, being helpful to others helps us to keep our concerns in perspective and helps us to heal.” It seems counterintuitive, but perhaps one way to approach grief is to empty oneself even further in service to others. Their gratitude and joy could be restorative.
Prayer - Lord, where I am lacking in compassion, please soften my heart. I pray that You do so,…