Till We Are Home

This morning, I was freshly struck by the immense compassion and tenderness of our Savior. Reading in Matthew 14 and 15, we read of the death of John the Baptist all the way to the feeding of the four thousand. In between, there are scenes of Jesus’ tender compassion throughout…from Him feeding the five thousand, healing the sick in Gennesaret, His interaction with the Canaanite woman, healing many others, then ending on His feeding of the four thousand. 

In Matthew 14, Jesus desired to withdraw to a desolate place and have some time alone, but the crowds followed. Jesus tenderly responded by having compassion on them and healing them. They needed Him and He tended to their brokenness. Then being in a desolate place, they needed to eat…so He fed them. Not only did they have their fill, but 12 baskets’ full were returned. In overabundance, Jesus provided. 

Our Savior who gives in extravagance points us to the reality that He Himself is our extravagant gift. A gift in overabundance.

The people who followed Him knew He could bring healing, knew He would help them in their needs, knew that He would stop what He was doing and provide the care they sought. His disciples thought they saw a ghost walking on the water, but Jesus immediately comforted them to say it was only Him. When Peter tried to meet Him out on the water then became frightened, Jesus immediately rescued him. Those who followed Him to Gennesaret found healing for the sickness they experienced. And the ones who were blind, crippled, and mute found healing through Christ near the Sea of Galilee. 

Then look and see how He responds to the crowd in verses 32 and following. After they had been with Him for three days, Jesus says, “I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” (Mt 14:32)

Oh, what a Savior we have!!

His kindness…His compassion…His care! Jesus was unwilling to see them hungry. He was so concerned about their well-being He didn’t want them to faint on the way. And not only was this for the ones who would continue to follow Him, but this crowd surely had others in there (like Judas Iscariot) who would turn away from Him. That’s how great of a Savior we have! One that will even care for those who turn away from Him. 

This Christmas, turn to the One who is full of compassion. Your tree may not be as full of presents this year maybe because there are no presents for a loved one now gone, or because job loss brought about financial stresses, or maybe you still are waiting for that one special person. Your table this year may not be as full of the delicious treats you once enjoyed because sickness has ravaged your body and you just cannot eat what you once enjoyed. Or perhaps you find yourself in a long season of struggle, whether it be sadness, feeling far from home, or even struggles with sin. 

Remember your Savior.

Remember how many flocked to Him to find healing. Remember how He turned to them when they needed Him most. Remember how He immediately casts His eyes upon His own in their fear. Remember how vast and wide His love and care are, even when our response to Him may not match.

Our Savior is so kind and loving…rejoice today! This day that we celebrate His birth, rejoice that our God came to us and entered into our suffering. Rejoice that our Savior tenderly and compassionately brings healing through Himself. Rejoice that our Christ, born this day, came to rescue us from our sin that we may have life in Him.

Rejoice in the Savior who is our extravagant gift, our gift in overabundance who enters into our sadness and brokenness each and every time…

Till we are home…