Scripture Verse that Caught My attention today: Matthew 14:13 “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself….”
Observation: the news of the martyrdom of John the Baptist (verses 8-12) prompted Jesus to want to spend some time alone.
Application: There are times in life when we feel a need to step back and consider what life is all about. This appears to have been one of those times for Jesus. For all practical purposes, John died because of Jesus. John was Jesus’ cousin. And although it’s unclear how well they knew each other, John understood Jesus to be the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and Jesus knew John well enough to have some dialog with him before being baptized by John (Matthew 3:15). So I suspect that the news of John’s death drove home for Jesus the point that Jesus’ mission was already costly. Who wouldn’t want some time to think things through at that point.
As a pastor I have often been humbled by the weight of the crosses that some of my present and past parishioners daily bear. Once in a while the thought of is enough to prompt me to take some time to let it all soak in. It’s important time. But one can’t stay there forever either. There is still work to be done, good news to be proclaimed, and understandings that will not be gained by holing up forever with oneself. Hence not long after that Jesus went on from there to take a rather risky hike across the open water to meet up with the disciples who were facing a storm of their own (Matthew 14:22-27).
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the occasional reminders of the price of being human. And thanks for the opportunities to continue on, regardless of how high those prices sometimes soar. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: 2 Samuel 2, 1 Chronicles 11, Psalm 142, and Matthew 14)
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