Jesus - Loving

Good Morning and Welcome to NH!

Series info: Jesus is obedient; Jesus is forgiving;

This morning we will be in and as you are getting there, I’d like to share some context that will be very important for what we’re sharing.

We find Jesus in the height of his ministry, teaching from town to town, using stories and illustrations to allow everyone the opportunity to hear and understand. Sometimes we find Jesus with large crowds of people gathered around, and others we find him leaving the crowds and sharing with only a few.

On this occasion, at the tail end of , we find Jesus in his hometown of Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue. As you can imagine, the people were amazed at his wisdom, and his power to perform miracles. But it didn’t take long for them to turn on him. They jeered and scoffed - “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know his family.” Because of a few in the crowd who said these things, the people turned on him and refused to believe in him.

How would you feel? Ever had anyone accuse you of being something that you’re not? Ever had someone not believe something that you are? Ever been mocked, been hated, been treated rudely? Ever had it happen from the people that should have loved you the best? That just happened to Jesus… He’s kind of having a bad day...

I’m sure we’re not talking the same day, but I don’t know that it matters if it was the same day or same week, but in chapter 14 we find Jesus being informed by his disciples of the brutal murder of John the Baptist. He had been beheaded by Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, because he made a promise to his step-daughter to give her anything she wanted.

Context: Jesus had just been informed by the disciples of the brutal murder of John the Baptist. He had been beheaded by Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, because he made a promise to his step-daughter to give her anything she wanted.

Jesus had a special relationship with John the Baptist. In fact, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

11“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

Can you imagine Jesus’ frame of mind? Can you imagine the things that he must have been thinking? How would you be feeling at this moment? I don’t believe that Jesus was afraid. I don’t believe that he ever questioned the future. But I do believe that He had feelings and emotions like we do. Even though Jesus is fully God; He’s also fully man.

So right after Jesus received the news about John the Baptist, he tried to get away and be alone. But the crowds knew where he was going and followed him. People from towns throughout the area got word that Jesus was close, so they flocked to be around him.

So right after Jesus received the news about John the Baptist, he decides to get away and be alone. Seems like a logical decision. I think it’s exactly what I’d want to do myself.

Imagine Jesus - exhausted (physically/emotionally), needing to get away from people and be alone, needing to get some time away with His Father to re-energize, needing some time away to pray for strength/encouragement/healing…

I don’t think I need to ask you if you’ve ever felt like this because I know you have. You’re drained. It’s been a long week at work. Nothing seems to be going right. Finals week at school. End of year reports are due. You’re ready for a vacation. That may have been what Jesus was thinking as he got in the boat after he heard the news about John the Baptist. Verse 13 says, “As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. Anyone in the people business relate to this?

And we get to verse 14...

And as he stepped from the boat…Jesus saw the huge crowd.

Unfortunately for Jesus the crowds knew where he was going and followed him. People from towns throughout the area got word that Jesus was close, so they flocked to be around him.

I think I might have pushed back out into the water. This week I read something by Bob Goff. “Loving people the way Jesus did means living a life of constant interruptions.” “I’ve noticed that the people who have had the most impact in my life were the most available…It will be hard to be like Jesus if you don’t want to be available to people. It’s what he did...Every day.”

And we get to verse 14...

Jesus saw the huge crowds - Jesus saw the people around him

Even though Jesus was trying to get away from people, scripture tells us that he SAW them. He noticed them.

Who has God placed around you?

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

14Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

So Jesus stepped out of the boat…Saw the huge crowd… and had compassion on them

Who has God placed around you?

Jesus had compassion on them; Same word in of the Samaritan man who came upon the Jew who had been robbed, beaten, & left alongside the road.

One of the defining characteristics is that Jesus loves.

Are you ready to love those around you? Initiative; messy; may be above your pay grade;

So Jesus stepped out of the boat…Saw the huge crowd… and had compassion on them

Jesus healed them; He did something about their needs; A few weeks ago we taught on For this is how God loved us - He gave.

How can you love those around you? Love is not feeling for those around you; Love is doing for those around you.

How can you love those around you? Love is not feeling for those around you; Love is doing for those around you.

Bob Goff, “Everything changes when we start to see interruptions as opportunities. We heal people when we show them that they matter, when their well-being is our main concern. This isn’t hard to do. Sometimes all it takes is picking up the phone and saying hello. Be generous with your time and your presence, and people will feel the love of Jesus.”

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Thank you for giving to missions!

Next week after 2nd service there is a brief informational meeting in the Fellowship Hall for everyone who is going on the mission trip.

Offertory | Kole Bloomfield

Easter Drama practice tonight / Everyone / 4-5:30pm