Next Door Savior by Max Lucado
"Stormy Places" Matthew 14:22-33
As I mentioned in my previous posting, there were two of Jesus' traits in the verses preceding the stormy sea episode, I wanted to focus on.
The first was to withdraw from all distractions on a regular basis to spend intentional, uninterrupted, significant time blocks with God. No dog, phone, spouse or wi-fi. Just God and an expectant soul.
Moving on to Matthew 14:14, Jesus once again demonstrates an extraordinary act.
Let's review- Jesus has just learned that his cousin and baptizer, John the Baptist, was beheaded. Jesus has withdrawn to a solitary place to grieve, pray and commune with his Father. When Jesus lands on shore following this time of solitude- BOOM!- there are the multitudes. Taking. Wanting. Needing. Demanding.
Imagine how most of us would react in this situation. A best friend and cousin has just been brutally murdered. You know who did it. You have to power to avenge his death, but have orders to let it ride. Then immediately after a short time of grieving, swarms of people descend on your just for what you can do for them. They are few, if any, sincere words of sympathy. No casseroles proffered. Not one offer of "what can I do for you" in the bunch. Just gimme', gimme', gimme'.
What did Jesus do? "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (14:4) Incredible. No down time for the Savior. How many times have I been too busy or preoccupied with my own life to offer compassion to another? How often have I allowed my worries about school, family, etc. to cause me to overlook or intentionally ignore the needs of another? If Christ is truly our role model, I had better reevaluate how I choose to respond in future situations.
There is also a great encouragement in verse 4. Just like Christ had time for the needs of the crowds 2000 years ago, He still has time for me today. He is never too busy. Never too overwhelmed with the world. Never too preoccupied with life in Heaven. I can go to Him whenever and about whatever, and His response is the same today as it was then. He will have compassion on me and heal me.
I would never attempt to rank God's qualities in order of importance. What a fool's errand that would be. But for me one of the most reassuring qualities is His immutability. He is the same today as He was in eternity past and will be in eternity future.
What an honor to serve such an awesome God.
D
The first was to withdraw from all distractions on a regular basis to spend intentional, uninterrupted, significant time blocks with God. No dog, phone, spouse or wi-fi. Just God and an expectant soul.
Moving on to Matthew 14:14, Jesus once again demonstrates an extraordinary act.
Let's review- Jesus has just learned that his cousin and baptizer, John the Baptist, was beheaded. Jesus has withdrawn to a solitary place to grieve, pray and commune with his Father. When Jesus lands on shore following this time of solitude- BOOM!- there are the multitudes. Taking. Wanting. Needing. Demanding.
Imagine how most of us would react in this situation. A best friend and cousin has just been brutally murdered. You know who did it. You have to power to avenge his death, but have orders to let it ride. Then immediately after a short time of grieving, swarms of people descend on your just for what you can do for them. They are few, if any, sincere words of sympathy. No casseroles proffered. Not one offer of "what can I do for you" in the bunch. Just gimme', gimme', gimme'.
What did Jesus do? "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (14:4) Incredible. No down time for the Savior. How many times have I been too busy or preoccupied with my own life to offer compassion to another? How often have I allowed my worries about school, family, etc. to cause me to overlook or intentionally ignore the needs of another? If Christ is truly our role model, I had better reevaluate how I choose to respond in future situations.
There is also a great encouragement in verse 4. Just like Christ had time for the needs of the crowds 2000 years ago, He still has time for me today. He is never too busy. Never too overwhelmed with the world. Never too preoccupied with life in Heaven. I can go to Him whenever and about whatever, and His response is the same today as it was then. He will have compassion on me and heal me.
I would never attempt to rank God's qualities in order of importance. What a fool's errand that would be. But for me one of the most reassuring qualities is His immutability. He is the same today as He was in eternity past and will be in eternity future.
What an honor to serve such an awesome God.
D
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