Talking Points with Pastor Lucas: Hope and Compassion

Now when Jesus heard this [about the death of John the Baptist], he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14)         

What is it about a person that makes thousands of people drop everything to race after Him? Jesus was dealing with some bad news that was sad news. His cousin, John the Baptist, had been murdered by Herod and He needed some time to process it all. As was often His practice, He went away to rest and pray. But when He gets ashore, there is a massive crowd already waiting for Him. 

When people are desperate for hope, they’ll flock to someone who gives it. Jesus, of course, is full of hope. His mouth speaks it. His touch delivers it. His body pulses with it. His pores sweat it. His veins bleed it. These people were desperate for this hope.

Perhaps you know what that’s like. Maybe you’re grabbing, pushing, and grasping for something—anything—that will give you some hope. Jesus gives it. Still today, His word speaks hope into your ears. Still today, the blood He shed for you drips with a death defeating hope. Where you are broken by sin, Jesus offers forgiveness. Where you are frightened by failure, Jesus shines the light of His hope. When you are lonely and longing for companionship, Jesus sends His Holy Spirit. And when you are full of anxiety, Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

That sounds nice, doesn’t it? To be able to get away and rest for a while—wouldn’t that be wonderful! The digital lives we live are so jam packed and so fast paced, we often forget what it is just to get away by ourselves and rest awhile. We live by the clock, and if the clock isn’t working in our favor, we try to cram 32 hours into 24 until we start walking blurry eyed and sleep deprived, hoping that maybe tomorrow will be a little better. 

As He did for those people on the shore, Jesus does for you—He has compassion on you. So, breathe easy and rest for a moment. Soak in the solace of Jesus’ words. Rest a while in the grace and mercy of Jesus. Even more, savor the satisfaction that comes with Christ’s sacramental body and blood. Let your burdens be lifted as Christ is lifted to your lips. Let your worries melt away as Jesus pours Himself into you. Rest awhile with your Savior. Taste the hope He pours into you.

That’s why the people flocked to Jesus - they couldn’t get enough of Him. They had so much need…so much hurt. So many were longing for hope that thousands came to rest with Jesus at this desolate place (some 5,000 men alone). They simply couldn’t get enough of Him.

How about you? Can you get enough of Jesus? That’s a curious question, isn’t it? Can you ever get too much of Jesus? Would you ever be like, “No more, Jesus. Thanks, I’ve had enough of you today.” Sounds funny, right? But here’s the deal: though you may not think you’d ever really say this, you and I often act like it. “Yes, it’d be nice if Jesus was here, but since He’s not, my computer, or my credit card, or my house, or my favorite TV show, or my political party, or my way of life will do just fine.” We start to fill the void with something else—something that’s inevitably hollow and empty.

We see it all over our culture. In fact, some say it’s the paradox of our time in history. We have so much, yet remain so dissatisfied. We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers. We have wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses, but smaller families. We have more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense. More knowledge, but less judgment. More experts, and yet more problems. More medicine, but less wellness. 

There’s so much dissatisfaction in the world, so much emptiness, and so much gloom. It’s unsettling for many, especially unbelievers. They need the hope of Christ just the same! When that void of this fallen world presses down, it leaves us all stumbling under the weight of it all.

But there’s One who’s already bore this. His name is Jesus. He brings hope to all who are near and far. Tired and hungry as He was from the day, when He saw all the people gathered on the shore, He didn’t turn around or run the other direction; He loved them. The Bible says He had “compassion on them.” And that is what He does for you.

Still today, Jesus sees you with eyes of love and affection. Even when you’re tired and forlorn, weary from your burdens, beat down by life, looking for some hope, Jesus sees you with eyes of compassion. He knows your hurts. He feels your pain. He sees your anger. He understands your fear. Even more, He’s felt the burden of your sins and the weight of the world nailed to His very own body on the cross.

Crucified, dead, and risen again, Jesus baptismally wraps His nail-pierced hands of love around you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He removes your guilt. He frees you from shame. He brings contentment to your life. He satisfies your soul. Trust Him, believe in Him, love Him, and share this Good News with others. They need it just as much as you do. He sees you, and them, with eyes of deep compassion and loves you all without reservation.

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
MN South District President
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod