I wonder if Jesus ever got fed up? The constant stream of people wanting him, needing him. Having no time for himself, no opportunity to eat or rest, no time to teach his disciples. People coming from all over with their problems. People second guessing him, being where he was going before he even got there.
It must have been tiring, and no doubt frustrating…
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
30 After the apostles returned to Jesus, they told him everything they had done and taught. 31 But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go to a place where we can be alone and get some rest.” 32 They left in a boat for a place where they could be alone. 33 But many people saw them leave and figured out where they were going. So people from every town ran on ahead and got there first.
34 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd that was like sheep without a shepherd. He felt sorry for the people and started teaching them many things.
Jesus Heals Sick People in Gennesaret
53 Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake and brought the boat to shore near the town of Gennesaret. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, the people recognized Jesus. 55 So they ran all over that part of the country to bring their sick people to him on mats. They brought them each time they heard where he was. 56 In every village or farm or marketplace where Jesus went, the people brought their sick to him. They begged him to let them just touch his clothes, and everyone who did was healed.
You or I might have. Well, I would have! But Jesus doesn’t appear to.
Jesus saw the people, saw the sad and lost state they were in; he felt sorry for them and met them in their need. He taught them, he healed them, he fed them.
It was not about him, it was all about them. Jesus was about sacrifice and giving long before he got to the cross.
How about us? Do we live for ourselves and our needs and wants? Or look to those of others?
There is a time to look after ourselves, and I would never want to deny that – but if we’re not careful that can become our sole focus and we miss the needs of others, and what God invites us to do there. We have our needs, and we should care for them. But they should not become all-consuming that we fail to see the needs of others, or hear the prompt of God.
Is it all about me? Or all about God?
Lord,
may it not all be about me
I pray
– but about you,
your world,
your people,
your ways
