Luke 9:10-11

Luke 9:10-11 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

We might infer from the Luke passage that Jesus wanted some time alone with his disciples because he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida. However when the crowds learned where He was, they followed him. In spite of any desires on his part to spend time with the Twelve, we see Jesus available as He welcomes the people and speaks to them about the kingdom of God and also heals those who needed healing. As is his nature, Christ looked at the people with compassion, saw their need, and met with them. This is the same Jesus we hear in Matthew's gospel calling to the weary and burdened to come to him for rest for their souls. This is the gospel message: Christ has come, and He came to set men free and to have fellowship with them.

When we see Jesus revealed in the Word, we learn about the heart of our Father God, who loves us and gave his all that we might live by sending his precious Son to die for our sins. This is the ultimate availability, the ultimate sacrifice, to offer willingly that which is most important and most valuable for the sake of another. We know this because we read in scripture that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) God's love knew no boundaries, contained no reservations, when He considered a plan for the redemption of his children. He sent the Bright and Morning Star, the Light of heaven, to bridge the gulf between him and his beloved creation, all humankind. This indeed is a welcoming, accepting, everlasting love bestowed on all who will accept and believe.

As we look at our own busy lives, we can ask ourselves how available we are to the Father's plans and wishes. How often do we withdraw to a place of separation where we will not be bothered by the needs of the crowds, the requests of our friends and family or even strangers that we minister to them, help them, put them first? Jesus set the tone and was the example for us and how we should live. Faced with the murderous and evil deeds of the Jews, He reminds the people of God's loving kindness: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (Matthew 23:37)

Can we do less that to give our all: to welcome, to love, to give unselfishly to others even when we would rather minister to our own needs, find our own peace of mind? We have the joy and the privilege of following Jesus and loving with his love. We do well to listen to the Spirit's call upon our lives: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12) These attributes are Christ's garment, his nature, his heart revealed to us and through us to a hurting world. May we spread the hope that is within us as Jesus calls out to his beloved, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. He is our rest and in him is fulness of joy as we take up the cross and follow him.