Sunday, March 11, 2007

The Loveliness of Self-Forgetfulness

"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, 'This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.' Jesus replied, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'"

This is one of the most beautiful displays of mercy and self-forgetfulness in our King found in the Bible. Jesus having just been given the news of John's beheading, retreats to a solitary place, only to find a mob of needy people waiting for Him there. What does He do? He shows them compassion.

For me - who sometimes drowns in self-absorption - the picture of Jesus, forgetting about His need to mourn the death of a beloved friend, and instead, reaching out to a needy people is so unworldly.

Jesus had plenty of "reserves" to draw on. He was acting out of the power and through the love of His Father. He knew His mission - and He knew it would soon be over. There was an urgency about everything He did.

Lord, please give us the heart and eyes of Jesus. To see those in need and to forget about ourselves. You have equipped us and given us what we need - we have more than enough "reserves" to draw on, in You. Thank you.

No comments: