Passage: Matthew 14:13-21
Points
1. Jesus withdrew to a solitary place, yet he had compassion on the multitudes who followed him and he healed their sickness.
2. The disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away to eat, but Jesus told them to feed them.
3. With five loaves and two fish, Jesus fed five thousand and the disciples collected twelve baskets of left overs.
Personalize
Jesus made his way to a solitary place, but he always made time for those in need. His compassion directed him toward action. It is easy to withdraw from the crowds surrounding us each day, but making time for others is difficult. It is important we take the time to stop and listen to the leading of our heavenly Father, but we should always be ready to respond to the needs of others, as our Father directs.
There is a culture in the pastoral leadership of the church today that limits its pastoral duties and emphasizes its teaching duties only. I agree many are gifted in preaching, rather than the pastoral. This does not excuse one from responding to the needs of others. Caring for those God has entrusted to us is at the heart of Jesus and thus should be our concern as well. Christ took time out of his solitude to heal those who were sick and those who were hungry. The results were amazing as many were healed and five thousand were fed.
When we take time for others and allow our solitude to be interrupted, we will find God doing amazing works in our midst. We will discover He will accomplish through us what we could not do ourselves. Our quiet times will become more meaningful because our prayers will not only have our interest in mind, but the interest of others. During the hectic days and the times of solitude, may we make time for others.
Prayer
Jesus, you are always compassionate for those in need. May we have the same compassion for those who are part of the multitudes in our midst. May we never be too busy or too preoccupied with our own time that we miss out on the ministry opportunities you bring our way. Lord direct us in our time of solitude and move us with compassion toward the encounters we will have with the multitudes in our congregations and community.
