When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. – Matthew 14:14
What do we do when we receive unexpected bad news? This little verse from Matthew’s gospel shoes us what Jesus did. Just before this, Jesus had received word that his cousin, John the baptizer and fellow proclaimer of the coming kingdom of God has been beheaded. John was no longer alive to see the kingdom of God come to fruition. The Scriptures say that John took this news and decided to withdraw from the crowds and find a place of solitude. I would venture to say that many of us would want such time, to pray, to think, to mourn.
However, what happens next is the crowds of people follow Jesus. Jesus had left in a boat, but the people by foot went to the place they heard he was going. The great crowd gathered, about 5,000 men, and that didn’t include the women and children. When Jesus saw this crowd he had compassion on them. Even in the midst of his own human suffering, the suffering of the loss of family, Jesus showed compassion. Jesus healed the sick among them, spoke with them, and when the evening came performed a miracle and fed them.
So often when we look at this passage we want to focus on the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. We want to focus on what Jesus did to provide for those in need. Yet, if we dive deeper into the soul, we learn a little more. We learn that the character of the Christian is to look out for others, have compassion on others, even when the self is hurting.
It is so often said that hurt people tend to hurt other people. We have a tendency to take out our personal pain on others. Jesus teaches us a different way. Even in the midst of personal pain we can show compassion. Even when we are not feeling up to doing good, we can do what is right. Even when we are at a loss and want to retreat, we are capable of compassionate deeds towards others. The greater miracle found in this passage, perhaps is the miracle that helps us overcome our pain in a way that helps others.
I’ve often felt, that when I’m at a low point in my own spiritual walk, that is when I have relied more on the Holy Spirit to work in me, and when I look back on the conversations, the mission, or the ministry I have done during those low times, I often see them as great successes, or times of great encouragement. We don’t always want to do what we are called to do in Christ, but being obedient to that call, will lift us higher, as we work to have the love and compassion of Christ in all that we do and say. God will uplift the broken and brokenhearted, and they will be blessed.
Grace & Peace,
Sam