sermon excerpts: Restful Compassion

... Jesus' attempt to find solitude, rest and food was thwarted. People very quickly and resourcefully learned of Jesus’ presence and destination and met him there. They were seeking healing, wisdom, knowledge, who knows what compelled so many to leave their busy day to crowd around this carpenter from Nazareth, rejected by his own town and family?

Whether it was out of faith, curiosity or some self-serving motive, the people were there to greet Jesus’ arrival and they were so scattered, disorganized, desperate that he couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. His compassion for them overcame any physical discomfort or any annoyance he felt.

We see how the love Christ has for anyone and everyone, for people that he doesn’t know, for people who are there for selfish reasons, for people who don’t believe in a thing that he’s teaching, they were all there and he showed his love for them. He willingly gave up his time for rest and renewal and gave his full attention, focus and emphasis on their needs. When we see the kind of priority he gives to strangers, we just begin to understand the depth of love and relationship that the divine can have with any anonymous person, with each and every one of us...

So when do they get their rest? We know how important Sabbath and downtime was for Jesus. Imagine how much more important it is for the disciples. That was not only their time to regroup and reenergize, it was their chance to pull Jesus aside in a quiet time to ask their questions and try to understand everything that was going on.

This is the mark of a good leader, we see the compassion in how Jesus cared for his leadership team, his disciples. He was trying to get them away from the hustle and bustle of being in the centre of a crowd for their sake, as much as for his. He knows that they’re out of their element, that they’re like fish out of water. These were fishermen with a basic education and they’ve been casting out demons and healing the sick. They’ve been acting as security detail for a man who attracts crowds of thousands. They’re just trying to keep up to Jesus and his full and deep understanding of God’s love.

Which impresses upon me the need to care for those who do the work. It’s easiest to ask the same people when we need something done. We overextend the types of people who are always on the go. There’s the little saying, “if you want something done, ask the busy person”. We know that they’re the ones who get things done.

At what cost? When do people resent the many tasks that get heaped up on them or imagine that no one else is doing anything? It’s little wonder that there are more jobs and positions in a church than there are willing volunteers. Everywhere overworked members of the congregation and clergy burnout is a common problem.

So in addition giving everyone permission to say “no”, or “I’d like to try something else instead”, I think we have to remember that as a compassionate church we care for the needs of the disciples, the leadership team, of our churches as well as others in the community and in the world at large. To try and do this, we need to be more clear about identifying our gifts, stating what we need from our church and how we might match up tasks with strengths among this diverse and wonderfully gifted people.

Jesus cared for everyone, strangers and friends. He supported his team, looking after the disciples. He encouraged them in their work, their questions, doubts and failures as well as their successes, joys and triumphs. Yet all of this points to something more than healing, and miracles and conquering evil. Jesus is making preparations for life after sickness, sorrow and death. His focus has always been on teaching. His lessons point to a fuller life through love and a compassionate approach to others.

Compassion in all things, for strangers, family and friends; in work and in rest. When we can manage this fine balance, we manage to understand what it is Jesus has been trying to teach. Even though we are in the middle of summer holidays, let’s hope we’ve learned our lesson well.