It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage. I know that I often forget what else was going on in Jesus’ life when certain “big” events occurred. Matthew records two of those “big” events in chapter 14; the feeding of 5,000 and walking on the water. I had forgotten the emotional and spiritual struggle that Jesus was facing at that time; the execution of John the Baptist. Verse 14:13 starts with Jesus receiving the news about John’s murder. Jesus sought a quiet place to pray. When they sailed to a quiet place so that Jesus could mourn and pray. But the curious and hurting people around the sea had other plans. When the crowd saw Jesus they followed him and interrupted his time with God. In that desolate place, with a growing and uninvited crowd, I think that Jesus gave us the best picture of how the church should work. Jesus gave. In his sorrow he allowed God to give him peace by serving other people. While his thirst for a time of prayer cried out to be satisfied Jesus spent time with the very people he had been sent to teach and help. We should gather together not to receive, but to give. If we receive something in the process then it is a bonus. Hours later, after all the followers had been taught, the people fed, the closest disciples sent off, and the crowd sent home, Jesus received what he had sought; time alone with God.
Stuart
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