In just a few days most of us will enjoy a three-day weekend. We get an extra day to rest, cook out, maybe get some miles in on the bike.
After the last few weeks, I have felt like I really need some down time. Ever feel like that? Life has been beating you down, or maybe you are grieving the loss of a loved one or some dreams.
Perhaps you are simply weary.
In those times it's easy to want to withdraw, focus only on our own needs. We even call this "me time".
Reading Matthew this morning.
"On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." Matthew 14:6-13 (NIV)
Let's stop there for a moment. John the Baptist was a prophet yes, and the forerunner for Jesus. But he was also Jesus' cousin. Jesus just found out that a family member was murdered in a very brutal way.
Isaiah tell us Jesus was, "a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief." Isaiah 53:3 (NLT). He needed to get away, get some down time.
The break would not last.
"Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns." Matthew 14:13 (NIV)
I don't know about you, but I would feel like, really? Can't I catch a break? I'm off the clock, this is my time!
But Jesus does not respond that way.
"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." Matthew 14:14 (NIV)
Jesus did not operate from a selfish nature as we are prone to do. He was full of compassion and love. And he was always focused on his purpose for being on earth. As he said in John 5:17 (NIV), "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."
Do we want to follow Christ? Do we want to be his disciple?
Jesus said "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)
What does it take to follow the Lord and be used by Him? What does he require of us?
Everything.
Are you all in?
