Looking Past Self

Sometimes it is those little verses that smack you in the face, even though you've read them hundreds or thousands of times before. For me, that smack came at the hands of Matthew 14:14. Jesus had just learned of the death of his friend and relative, John the Baptist. He intended to take some time alone upon hearing the news (Matthew 14:13). They all came to Jesus needing something or wanting something from Him. When He sees them, He has compassion on them. Think about that for a moment. Most of us would be filled with grief and we would be in no mood to care for what we see as petty needs of a bunch of strangers. Yet Jesus' heart goes out to them in the midst of what should have been His "time of need."
Jesus gives us a wonderful example of loving others. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own stuff - the busyness of life, daily responsibilities, and daily struggles and pressures. In the face of that, it is hard for us to turn our focus off of self and focus on the needs of those around us.
What a challenge we are given from the Master - to care more about the hurts of others than the hurts we may currently be feeling. Lord, make me more like You!

"When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had
compassion on them and healed their sick."
-Matthew 14:14