SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
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]
I am struck by Jesus’ power to heal, to walk on water, to multiply loaves and fish.
But this passage also reveals a tender, sensitive and compassionate Saviour.
When Jesus hears of John the Baptist’s death, He withdraws for some alone time.
Jesus weeps, He grieves; He is not indifferent to sadness or suffering.
And when the crowds follow Him, invading His alone time, His compassion still shows.
Instead of hiding from the crowds (my tendency), He gives Himself to them.
We sense the tension within Jesus – His divinity and His humanity.
The miracles He performed were nothing compared to what He could have done, if it had been His purpose.
A tender-hearted, Spirit-powered Saviour.
We notice that He does not heal or help everyone in the world, only those who cross His path – and many did.
He did not always walk on water, nor did He always feed huge crowds with little food.
These are not the reason that He came; they were signs to get peoples’ attention, so that they would look to Him for salvation.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [Matthew 9:36]
People who were looking for the miracles were eventually disappointed.
The same holds true today.
Jesus is not a magic-man, who can perform whatever miracle we ask for.
He is God become human, that we might be rescued and restored.
He does have compassion on us, and does at times intervene with a miracle, if that is what is best for us, and for His purpose – but not always.
The Lord’s purpose is not to make our lives easier, but to make them better.
More than just a miracle, we need heart and life transformation.
He may feed us with miracle food today, or enable us to walk on water tomorrow, but what about the next day?
The enduring thing about a relationship with God through Jesus is the relationship itself, whether the miracles happen or not.
It is to live this life in this world in fellowship with a loving, tender-hearted and Spirit-powered Saviour.
Never alone, always assured of His compassion, He is the Good Shepherd.
Do you have this relationship with God and with Jesus?
Whether you get a miracle or not, do you sense His never-failing love and compassion?
Are you aware that everything He is doing in Your life is intended to make Your life better… because He loves you?
PRAYER:
Lord, may the comfort of Your love strengthen me at all times, whether I see Your miracle power or not.