How well do you handle interruptions? Would you be willing to have vacation plans interrupted because of pressing people needs?
Jesus was wildly popular because of his ability to heal and miraculously multiply food. There came a time, however, when He knew it was imperative to take his disciples on a short vacation away from the press of the crowds:
"And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)" (Mark 6:31)
The need for a vacation was obvious, but all did not go according to plan. Jesus and his disciples climbed into a boat and headed for their vacation destination. The crowds, however, learned of their destination and arrived by foot in advance of the boat's arrival.
Any of us would likely be more than a little annoyed to find a large, demanding crowd awaiting us at our vacation destination, but that was not the response of Jesus:
"When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
Rather than seeing the inconvenience of a demanding crowd, Jesus instead saw directionless people looking to Him for guidance and purpose. As such He was moved with compassion to teach them.
Notice: the compassion of Jesus moved Him to teach people. Does our compassion move us to teach others? We most commonly association compassion with generous and merciful acts, but rarely is teaching considered a compassionate response.
There are people around each of us who look to us for guidance, whether they directly express it or not. These are people who are hungry to be taught that which will ultimately giving meaning and purpose to their lives.
Let me challenge you (and myself) to consider the most compassionate response of all: do we care enough to teach others the truth that will truly transform? Are we obsessed with the good news of the Kingdom - the magnificent obsession of Jesus - so that we compassionately share it with those around us?
Today will no doubt be characterized by interruptions to what we have planned. Perhaps these will be "divine interruptions": opportunities the Lord affords us to teach the good news to those who are receptive.
Steve
Jesus was wildly popular because of his ability to heal and miraculously multiply food. There came a time, however, when He knew it was imperative to take his disciples on a short vacation away from the press of the crowds:
"And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)" (Mark 6:31)
The need for a vacation was obvious, but all did not go according to plan. Jesus and his disciples climbed into a boat and headed for their vacation destination. The crowds, however, learned of their destination and arrived by foot in advance of the boat's arrival.
Any of us would likely be more than a little annoyed to find a large, demanding crowd awaiting us at our vacation destination, but that was not the response of Jesus:
"When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
Rather than seeing the inconvenience of a demanding crowd, Jesus instead saw directionless people looking to Him for guidance and purpose. As such He was moved with compassion to teach them.
Notice: the compassion of Jesus moved Him to teach people. Does our compassion move us to teach others? We most commonly association compassion with generous and merciful acts, but rarely is teaching considered a compassionate response.
There are people around each of us who look to us for guidance, whether they directly express it or not. These are people who are hungry to be taught that which will ultimately giving meaning and purpose to their lives.
Let me challenge you (and myself) to consider the most compassionate response of all: do we care enough to teach others the truth that will truly transform? Are we obsessed with the good news of the Kingdom - the magnificent obsession of Jesus - so that we compassionately share it with those around us?
Today will no doubt be characterized by interruptions to what we have planned. Perhaps these will be "divine interruptions": opportunities the Lord affords us to teach the good news to those who are receptive.
Steve
posted by steve @ 3:04 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home