Matthew 14:13-16 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
When you are tired, what will you do? Maybe nothing, just want to be alone and rest. Similarly, the Lord felt very sad upon hearing the news of the killing of John the Baptist. He was about to bring disciples to a solitary place to rest. But when people saw them, many went to place before them. If you had seen this scene, you would have probably been unhappy. But the reaction of Jesus was a surprise to many. He saw the multitude, and had pity on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Why we describe the condition of people as sheep without a shepherd? First, people are easily lost, unable to find the meaning and direction of life. The young say, 'we are the lost generation'. When they reach middle age, they then have mid-life crisis. Even after working hard for half of their lives, they suddenly realized that what they had worked so far for has lost all meaning. Once again, we ask the same question we asked when we were young, "What am I living for?" Middle aged people started to buy red race car, to try extramarital affair. In the end, it is the result of our losing spirits in our hearts. Old people don't fare much better either. I once had a talk with an old man. I asked him, "How are you?" He said, "What's good? I am a third class citizen in the United State. Every day I eat, sleep, and wait to die." Then I understand that old people can be lost just like young people. No wonder Jesus says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Because people are in a state of lost.
Moreover, people are afraid, having no security. When we face the unknown future, we develop an unknown fear. We try everything to exchange for a sense of security. But in our hearts, we don't have peace. Fear is the most common type of bondage in our hearts. Because of fear, we can't have the real joy. Are you in the condition of lost, fear, and unhappiness? Let me tell you a good news: the Lord is your shepherd. His mercy will be bestowed upon you today. Pray with Pastor Tong 
Lord, we thank you because you are our shepherd. You've seen who we really are, but instead of getting away from us, you have mercy on us. We went astray in the past and we had no peace or happiness. Today, may your mercy come upon us, and let us follow you in our daily lives. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
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