Matthew 14:1 – When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”

3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. 8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (NLT) 

In this passage, Jesus hears some disturbing news.  His cousin and friend has been murdered. We are told that as soon as Jesus heard this disturbing news, he left for a remote area to be alone.  We should notice how his time away went for him.  As soon as Jesus stepped off the boat he notices a large crowd – and he has compassion on them.

As a pastor, sometimes I can log in some long hours in the course of a week.  At my church we have two Sunday services, plus Sunday evening activities.  By the time Sunday night rolls around, I can be very exhausted!  Yet a pastor I have to be ready to answer any calls from church members in need, even when they come on a Sunday night when I am emotionally and physically exhausted. 

I am, however, not unique. We have all been in similar situations.  Maybe you have received a call from a friend in need at a time that was not good for you.  You may have been exhausted, or you may have had other plans.  The lesson we can take from this passage is that being a compassionate Christian can be challenging at times, but we are called to be like Jesus, therefore we should always be ready to be compassionate.  We do need our down time.  We do need time to recharge, but as those who seek to be like Jesus, we must often lay our desires aside, and willingly serve the needs of others.

Today, let us not let our own agendas keep us from being compassionate to others.  Let us seek to be like Jesus, and serve when the need arises. 

Posted by Ramón Torres