Grace Under Fire
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Grace Under Fire
Grace Under Fire
History -
*Jesus sent the disciples out two by two to spread the good news of the gospel around Jerusalem.
There were sects of the religious and political communities were opposing Jesus’ radical ministry message.
John the Baptist was murdered by Herod further added the the hostile climate. This lead the need for Jesus and the disciples to be careful because of mounting hostilities.
The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Jesus took his disciples to a secluded place so that they might rest after their labors. More than likely Jesus wanted to discuss their ministry with them and prepare them for the next phase of their mission. Vance Havner has said, “If you don’t come apart and rest, you will come apart.” Even God’s Servant Son needed time to rest, fellowship with his friends, and find renewal from the Father.
The overzealous crowd had other plans. They wouldn’t leave Jesus alone even for a moment of rest.
The Crowd followed him to the area near Bethsaida, hoping to see Him perform some more miracles. Maybe cure the sick.
In spite fo the interruption to his plans, Jesus welcomed them, taught them the Word, and healed those who were afflicted. Jesus realized they were thirsty for knowledge. As the scripture puts it the people were like sheep without a shepherd.
As Jesus migrates to the area of the western shore, we see his unwavering compassion: His love for People that moved him to lead by example.
Jesus’ leadership was empowered not by a sense of duty or obligation or by a desire to build an image, but by compassion. Grace under Fire. A Gracious Leader - builds a deep love for people that moves them to do far more than obligation could ever induce.
When we are ministering to others sometimes you have to still away and do some self care. It’s hard to minister grace to a dark and dying world when your tired and irritable.
Even when your in need of a Sabbath retreat, sometime you have to be prayed up enough to allow the grace of God to use you to be a blessing for others.