No respite

When Jesus heard the news about John, he left there in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. The people heard about it, and so they left their towns and followed him by land. Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed those who were sick. (verses 13,14)

Read Matthew 14:13-21

A young woman was recounting her experiences of motherhood. She described the first five years with her two children as a descent into dependence. There was no respite. She was at their beck and call day and night. She concluded that it was the most fulfilling experience of her life, and she would not have had it any other way.

Jesus’ life was something like that, especially once he had undertaken his public ministry, preaching, teaching and healing all over the country. He became famous and popular. There were times when he became so stressed and exhausted he tried to escape it all by seeking out a place to be on his own. But the crowds followed him even there. There was no respite. They continued to pursue him to his death, which he willingly undertook to save them.

This happened because way back when God created the world he made a special commitment, much like the young mother, to the infant universe he had created. He has had no respite ever since.

Dear God, thank you for your compassion for your fallen world, even to the extent of sending your Son to save it. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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