Today’s Reading: Mark 6:7-29; Luke 7:18-35, 9:1-9

As Jesus traveled from village to village, his twelve disciples stayed by his side, but today was different. Jesus gathered his disciples together and sent them out to various places in groups of two. He gave them the authority to cast out demons and heal the sick by anointing them with olive oil. The disciples took nothing with them except the clothes on their back and a walking stick, and Jesus gave them these instructions:

“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” – Mark 6:10-11

THIS WAS THEIR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND THEY CHOSE TO WALK IN IT.

When John the Baptist criticized the ruler of Galilee for marrying his brother’s wife, Herod Antipas threw him into prison. While in prison, John heard about all that Jesus was preaching and doing. He sent his disciples to Jesus to confirm that he was the promised Messiah.

Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” – Luke 7:22-23

Jesus then turned to the crowd and affirmed the ministry of John the Baptist, clarifying that he was the one the scriptures had referred to as the messenger sent ahead of the Messiah to prepare the way for him. And then Jesus made this powerful statement: “I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!” (Luke 7:28).

Because of John’s preaching, the Kingdom of God was advancing. This was the time all the prophets had been looking forward to; this was the time that the law of Moses had prophesied about. John had fulfilled his God-given purpose. His wisdom was made obvious by the way he lived his life and by the results of his ministry.

“But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” – Luke 7:35

THIS WAS JOHN’S GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND HE CHOSE TO ACCEPT IT.

When they heard this, all the people — even the tax collectors — agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. — Luke 7:29-30

Herod Antipas also rejected God’s plan and the ministry of John the Baptist. He was so angry with John that it was not enough to simply have him imprisoned, he wanted to kill him. But Herod knew that killing John the Baptist would start a riot because the people believed him to be a prophet, so he kept him imprisoned.

At Herod’s birthday party, his niece danced for him (the daughter of his brother Philip, whose wife Herod had married). Her dance pleased Herod and his guests, so he offered her a gift of her choosing. Her mother, Herodias, took this opportunity to seek revenge on the prophet who had spoken so boldly against her marriage to Herod. No one was more surprised than Herod when the girl came back and demanded the head of John the Baptist be brought on a tray right then for all to see. Everyone at the party had heard his promise to the girl, and everyone was watching to see his response. Out of pride, Herod granted her wish and John the Baptist was beheaded that very night.

When Jesus heard the heartbreaking news of John’s death, he got in a boat and sailed to a remote area to be alone (Matthew 14:13). Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt when he heard of the death of his cousin? The man whose purpose in life was to prepare the way for him had just been killed in a brutal and dishonoring way. Jesus, feeling the same emotions any of us would have felt, retreated to an area where he could grieve alone. He had spent so many days reaching out to others and taking care of the needs of many, but now it was time for him to take care of his own needs. Or was it?

But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. – Matthew 14:13b-14

THIS WAS JESUS’ GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND HE EMBRACED IT WITH COMPASSION.

Having more compassion for others than he had love for himself, Jesus reached out to others in response to their reaching out to him. This is who Jesus was and this is who Jesus is today. When we reach out to him, he responds to us. When we faithfully fulfill the purpose we are given, he encourages us. When someone seeks to hurt or destroy us because of our faithfulness, he grieves for us. Jesus responds to our needs with compassion, which is exactly what he did next…