What’s a Believer to Do? Following Jesus in an Age of Tragedy (Billy Russell 08/18/19)

What’s a Believer to Do?

                             Following Jesus in an Age of Tragedy

                                                (Mt.14:1-23)

 

We can be inundated and overwhelmed by the traumas of our day. Jesus was no stranger to the calamities of his time. Today, we observe how Jesus responded to the news of the traumatic death of John the Baptist. John’s loss impacted Jesus personally. How can we follow Jesus in our age of tragedy?

                                        Follow Jesus’ Example

 

Jesus grieves privately (14:13)-

      He “... heard about it...”- exposed to the tragic death of John.

     “He withdrew by boat to a remote place to be alone”-

            What does Jesus do? “withdrew”-

            How? “by boat”-

            Where? “to a remote place”-

            Why? “to be alone”-

     

Jesus serves publicly (14:14-21)-

      “When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd...”- He re-engages in the

           reality of the needs of now.

      “He had compassion on them...”- His heart went out to the crowd.

      He heals, teaches & feeds the mega-crowd: ministry in the moment.

 

Jesus gets ready for what’s next (14:22ff)- practices spiritual preparation

      “... he went up on the mountain by himself to pray” (14:23)- He re-

            engages in caring for himself through prayer.

      “Well into the night, he was there alone.” (14:23)- purposeful solitude.

     

Observe Jesus’ helpful rhythm for us to follow (14:13; 14ff; 22ff):

     He spends time w/ the Father.

     He invests time w/ the disciples.

     He shares time w/ people.

 

Ultimately, John’s tragic death foreshadows Jesus’ path to the cross.   

     Jesus’ way will be fraught with suffering before glory.

     Jesus continues ministry and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.