A Kind, Patient Love

                                                             

The news that someone has passed always evokes a response. We pause. We stop. We become somber. Perhaps we cry or we weep if the relationship was a close one.  Often the news leaves us with a desire to be alone, to be still, to pray, to silently remember the person who has passed.

 

When Jesus heard that his cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded He may have experienced these same emotions. Matthew 14:13 says: “ When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.”

 

The verse continues: “But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him.”

 

If I had been in Jesus’ place, I would have been annoyed.  I would have tried to hide from the multitude of needy people.  If they had found me, I would have sent them away, telling them that this was not a good time.

 

The response of Jesus, however, was much different than mine. Matthew 14:14 says:

“He saw a great multitude and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed them.” 

 

The love of Christ is beyond our comprehension. At a time of personal sorrow He looked at the needy people and wasn’t annoyed with their interruption. Instead, with deep love and compassion He met their needs.

 

“Love is patient. Love is kind”(I Corinthians 13:4). The deep love of Jesus was patient with people who showed up at an inconvenient time.  In kindness He greeted them and met their needs.

 

I am thankful for a Savior whose compassion was so evident as He walked the earth. Although the miracles which He performed were done to fulfill prophecy, He did not do the miracles coldly and mechanically.  He looked into the eyes of the lepers, the blind, the deaf, the paralyzed, the demon possessed, and He was moved with compassion as He saw their pain.

 

This same Jesus is our Savior.  His Spirit abides in the hearts of believers.  His love for each of us is as deep and as genuine as the love which He had for the hurting people who showed up as He was grieving the death of John.  He invites us to come to Him with our needs.  There is never a bad time to approach His throne.  He is never busy or distracted. When we come with needs, both great and small, we are always greeted with kindness and compassion.  What amazing love!