WATCHWORD:
32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:32-34
One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. Luke 18:15-17
Meditation:
People Person
Jesus was a people person. People were always on Jesus’ mind. Even while on the cross, where was his focus? People. The thief on his right, his mother and a disciple at the foot of his cross. Yes, His mind was on people.
Long before the cross, Jesus was out there, where the people are. The sinners, the hurting ones, the possessed, the lepers, all of us. In Mark 6:34 we read “When Jesus went ashore he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them…”
So many came to Him because they needed someone to have compassion, to see them as valued, to know that in the eyes of his Holy man, they existed.
A man comes to Jesus at night. His name is Nicodemus, but he doesn’t know his true identity because he doesn’t know where he belongs. Yes, he is a Pharisee, and an expert in Jewish law; he’s a member of the inner circle of the Sanhedrin. He is an elder. He has wealth, power, education that anyone could want but he lacks something. Validity.
This Nicodemus comes to Jesus and asks him, “Who are you?” But, Jesus knows what this man is really asking is, “Who am I?”
I am reminded of something Robin Williams said, “I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone.”
In 1980, approximately 20% of Americans reported feeling lonely. By 2010, that figure had more than doubled. Today nearly one in two people in the United States report feeling lonely. Less than one in four Americans report having at least one close confidant in their lives.
Loneliness is defined as “perceived social isolation,” which means that we experience loneliness when we feel disconnected from meaningful social interaction – intimate relationships, friendships, family gatherings, etc.
I have two amazing women in my life, a daughter and a partner. Both of whom, have an extended circle of close confidant friends. Both of whom know the secret of maintaining those friendships. Both of these women go out of their way to spend time, to reach out, and maintain ongoing communication with their circle of friends. To say that I envy that talent, that gift from the Lord, would be a great understatement. I am not sure that either of these women would say that they experience loneliness to any great extent.
The point in all of the above is simple; what we have gone through, the isolation, the separation, the lack of social contact, and what we are likely to continue to experience in the coming months, is a formula for compounding feelings of aloneness, sadness. What Jesus have us do? What model did Jesus give us?
Here’s the deal. We all belong to Christ. We all belong to this family. It’s a crazy, odd, mixed up and messed up group of people, all going through the same experience, but reacting to it differently. Some in positive ways, others, not so much. Don’t analyze, fraternize. This is family. Reach out, touch base, call, zoom, face-time, text, whatever. Praying is important, but the human voice, the human face, is a bit like salve to the wound of aloneness. What would Jesus do? What would Jesus have us do? That. Amen.
Morning Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. Give us the strength and the power of Your Love to help us to reach out to members of our expanded family that you have gifted us with, to let them know that they are loved and valued. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
