Let me tell you about a day when Jesus got the blues.
This was one of the worst days Jesus ever had, in his whole life A day that was filled with noise and emotions and triumph and tragedy and then loneliness - all mixed together . . . and all on one day. . . . A day where Jesus experienced more stress than He will on any other day of his life - (except for the day He died . . . ) . . . and before this stressful day ends (that we will talk about) . . . You will see that He has reason to weep - to run - to shout - to curse - to praise and to doubt . . . . . . all in one day . . . . . . His life went from calm and peaceful to chaos and pain . . . in the coarse of 24 hours.
So, lets get at it . . . (let me describe that day). . . . On that day, . . . first thing in the morning Jesus gets some very bad news news that his cousin John - has been killed - and he has not just died of natural causes . . . but beheaded for his faith by a tyrant of a King named Herod.
Now to understand how Jesus took this news we must understand that John wasn't just some far off relative Jesus never knew (some 3 rd cousin) - No . . . John was a co-worker with Jesus and a very close friend . . . in fact John was the man who came closer to understanding Jesus more than any other person . . . And now he was dead . . . Imagine that . . . imagine losing the one person who knows you better than anyone else . . . and then imagine the horror of being told that your best friend had not only died but had been decapitated by a power hungry - people pleasing - evil ruler . . . . . . And then immediately after Jesus finds out the news of his friend John . . . He is brought more bad news . . . It turns out that that same (blood-thirsty) King - Herod was interested in His head as well . . . And Jesus found that His life was in immediate danger.
And so with his best friend's life taken and his own life threatened . . . Jesus does what any of us might do.
Matthew 14:13 says this:
"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat to a solitary place." . . .
He got away and alone for a bit . . . (can't really blame Him, I would have done the same thing . . . ) but His quiet place doesn't last too long . . . as he is nearly immediately invaded by a throng of people . . . and they all want a piece of him - in a good way. They all need his help.
See . . . His twelve disciples (had been traveling the country side doing His work). Well they (all came back home on this same day) find Him and begin immediately to give Him reports of their work.
They start talking about . . . how people have been healed and lives have been changed and they're excited . . . They are filled with passion because they have seen God at work . . . And so, . . . Jesus does what you have to do when you've got the blues (sometimes) . . . He reaches down and pulls himself up by the boot straps - out of the quiet - out of the sadness - to celebrate with 12 of His closest friends . . . but here's the kicker . . . the bible says that huge crowds came with and followed His 12 disciples to be with Jesus . . . It says 5000 men, (plus women and children . . .) throngs of people . . . Some scholars estimate the crowd to be 25,000 . . . and they swarm around Jesus - everyone of them wanting to hear a word from His mouth - or a touch from His healing hand . . . can you imagine that scene . . . and the pressure on Jesus? (example Rider game) Taylor field - filled to capacity.
And then the bible says this great sentence to help us see that scene and how exhausting the day was... "So many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat. . . " Mark 6:31 (NIV) As the day went on . . . mayhem.
Now, I've had a few busy "people" days in my life - where the appointments are backed up, down the hallway and you can't get to the 2 calls on hold for you because the one call you're on is taking everything you've got . . . I've even had situations where I've been surrounded by 6 or 8 or 10 people . . . each making a separate request of my time . . . . . . But 25,000? . . . needy, waiting people . . . and now after several hours . . . they were also hungry . . . And so now, Jesus (who's got the blues) has to fix a huge problem for the people . . . a miracle is needed . . . and maybe you've heard the story.
So, Jesus took a couple fish and a few loaves of bread and blessed it and multiplied it . . . and fed the entire crowd and they ate to their fill . . . in fact there was a picnic basket left over for each of the 12 disciples.
Now, . . . think about what Jesus did . . . . . . (in the state He was in emotionally.) See, when I read that part of the story it gives me great hope . . . that in the midst of grieving (struggle/blues) . . . miracles can happen . . . ( all this on the same day and against the backdrop of death and the pressure of Jesus own life being threatened) . . . He continued to do what needed to be done . . . And God blessed Him with a miracle . . . and can you imagine the people in that crowd of 25, 000 - I mean . . . some had been healed that day of diseases and handicaps that they had carried since childhood . . . And suddenly they were touched by Jesus and healed. . . and then yet another miracle . . . the icing on the cake . . . as they were fed a great feast as a gift from God - (an amazing day).
And so when that crowded day was wrapping up . . . . Jesus sends his disciples away in a boat . . . and He again tries to go off by himself to pray . . . and try to reset his soul . . . but look what happens . . . what a crazy day.
(The bible says) A storm comes up on the lake and the disciples boat is caught in it . . . and they are fearful for their lives as they fight this storm . . . . . . and so Jesus sees their trouble and is called on again. And by this time it's the middle of the night on that same very long emotion filled - stress packed day . . . . . . And so Jesus again pulls himself up out of the blues . . . and out of that much needed quiet place. . . . . . And then this incredible story of Him walking on the water happens . . . . . . It's a great story - incredible miracle (in the middles of the blues) . . . and then once He's in the boat - He calms the storm . . . and the disciples are safe . . . and a little awe - struck . . . I'm sure.
Now . . . by this time it's now the morning of the next day . . . and as they land on that other shore of the lake . . . immediately it says . . ."When the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed." Matthew 14:35 & 36 (NIV)
More crowds - more people - more pressure.
Do you get the picture? See . . . when I thought about the blues . . . this week - I thought of this day in Jesus life . . . A day of horrible tragedy - unbearable sadness (fear) - hugely demanding people pressure - mind-bending stress - and very little rest . . . all of which were completely beyond His control . . . . . All on the same day and night and into the next day . . . with out a moment of time to deal with His emotions . . . . . . and when I read that I immediately thought, you know what? . . . Jesus has felt the blues.
So why did I tell you all that ? . . . Well, my job today is to connect faith to the blues . . . and I just wanted you to be aware that Jesus understands the blues . . . He knows exactly what it feels like to live with pain and grief and suffering and heartache . . . and out of control situations.
Hebrews 4:15 in the bible describes Jesus blues connection to us like this . . . "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness . . . He Himself has shared fully in all our experience . . ." (NIV/Phillips)
Now, I need you to catch that verse fully . . . because it answers the why question of the blues . . . . . . Why is Jesus able to sympathize with our weakness? . . . or to put it another way - Why is Jesus able to connect with us so deeply when we have the blues? Because He Himself shared fully in all our experiences.
He Himself, shared fully - not partially - not a little bit - (not to even a large degree) - He shared fully . . . In all our experience . . . every hurt - every pain - all the stress - all the pressure and strain. Why? So he could sympathize with our weaknesses . . . So when we call out to Him in our moment of need we will know, beyond the shadow of a doubt that He understands.
Now, think about your life for a little bit . . . go back a ways to moments of the blues (got it?) . . . Remember when all you wanted was a night's sleep and all you got was a colicky baby? Remember when you wanted to catch up at the office and all you got was farther behind? Or when you wanted to relax on Saturday night and you ended up fixing your neighbors sink? (Or all you needed was 81% and you got 77% . . . .)
Hear this - and take comfort - those kinds of things happened to Jesus as well . . . He knows how you feel.
Now . . . for some of you the blues takes on a whole different look . . . Maybe . . . you've lost something precious to you (and you've got the blues . . . ) - a marriage - a child - a loved one - a job - or maybe your health - (whether physically or mentally or emotionally) . . . your health is failing is you.
Think about that stuff, . . . and then connect this truth to your faith, next time your world feels like it's turning upside down . . . Jesus knows how you feel . . . He knows - because He's been there.
His heart has broken . . . and his eyes have grown weary - and His soul has grown heavy . . . (He's had to climb out of bed without enough sleep to face a day with more demands than He was able to face) . . . and He's had to be strong when He felt weak, . . . and He's had to face the crowds, and build relationships when He just didn't feel like it . . . And He has felt pain . . . . . . incredible, gut wrenching, life isn't fair pain.
Isaiah 53:3 Describes Jesus like this - He was - "A man of sorrows . . . acquainted with grief" . . . Another translation puts it like this . . . He was "A man who suffered - who knows pain first hand" Isaiah 53:3 (Message)
Folks, Jesus knows your pain and He understands your hurt and He is acquainted with your grief . . . You can trust Him during the down swings in life . . . You can trust Him with the blues.
You know lots of people ask spiritual questions during seasons of suffering and pain . . . and I often get asked the same one over and over again . . . Where is God when I suffer? And my answers is always the same . . . He's right beside you - giving you strength and courage . . . and endurance . . . And He cries every tear right along with you, . . . and He feels your heartbeat as it pounds and pounds and pounds.
Your prayers do not fall on deaf ears . . . He loves you deeply and desires more than you know, to see you whole and healed once again.
This week I got a note from a woman in our community here who understands the blues. She has lupus and is on her 3 rd round of major doses of steroid treatments and has been on chemo treatments . . . and is fighting valiantly . . . but the fight is taking it's toll on her physically . . . . . . but I want you to hear some of the things she wrote to me about the blues.
(Alana Henry said this . . . Here's what I'm learning during this season . . . of illness and trials)
She wrote:
. Jesus said to His followers . . . "I've told you all this so that by trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties, but take heart, I've conquered the world." (Message)
. She says, I do know. that no matter what happens, it's been sifted through his hands . . . and He is perfect God. I don't have to fear and fret . . . God is in control . . . life is in His hands.
. She says, I must remember this disease is not my fault. Being sick is humbling . . . and its hard, hard, hard to be needy.
. She writes, when you are in the middle of something, sometimes it's hard to believe and just trust God. It's like being a little child . . . afraid of the dark . . . the child knows that in the daylight of his room, he is safe . . . but night comes and he gets fearful, (we have to remember how things are in the light.)
. She says, God knows what I need, . . . and provides it for me; he gives me people to walk along side and comfort me and sometimes, . . . God comforts me Himself.
. I value and appreciate every single day . . . because . . . You appreciate the light so much more after you've had months of darkness.
. She said this and I loved it . . . fluff don't matter . . .and everything seems life fluff . . . (not everything) . . . but lots does . . . . And people always seem more important than other stuff.
. And finally illness/trials are sort of like when you plan something & someone else changes your plans - (remember plans always change.)
. How are you going to handle the detour?
. Will you fight it or embrace it?
. What is embracing suffering
. Attitude is everything . . . You can choose your attitude not the circumstances.
See folks, here's the truth about Alana, . . . . . . Alana doesn't know why she has this pain and suffering . . . and she doesn't know why she isn't better already or why her prayers aren't answered already . . .but Alana does know this . . . she knows that Jesus is acquainted with her suffering . . . and she draws much comfort and much strength from that. Physically Alana is weary and weak . . . but spiritually she is faith filled and powerful . . . because she knows where her strength comes from . . .and it has nothing to do with health or comfort or money or even happiness. No . . . Alana's strength comes from walking hand in hand with Jesus Christ . . . The one who understands her pain . . . and feels with her in bottom of the blues.
To close . . . I want you to hear a few lines from a message I prepared a few years ago . . . about suffering and faith . . . and it answers some of the same questions we humans have about suffering and pain and the blues.
Listen to these two verses from the book of Psalms . . . - which in most Bibles fall on the same page...
"The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me;"
(Psalm 143:3-4)
And then this just a few words later, "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge." (Psalm 144:1-2)
People, the questions are not - why suffering? Why do we get then blues . . . ? The question is - what will my focus be when I've got the blues? What will my focus be when I suffer? Will it be the enemy in life that I focus on? . . . - whether that is relational struggles, financial crises, time pressure, physical ailments or emotional battles . . . Will it be those enemies that I focus on? . . . And will I dwell in darkness - my spirit faint . . . - my heart dismayed? Or will God be my focus? My Rock who trains me for battle against these enemies. A loving God who is my Father - my Stronghold - my Shield - my Refuge - my Deliverer.
Do I huddle in darkness alone? Or do I advance across the battlefield of life, trusting in God's power and protection - even in suffering . . . "Better to die with sword in hand that be slowly crushed by my own dismay" - Lee Barbour
Hear this people, in your suffering, turn quickly to God. Know that He is very near to those who suffer. Trust His heart - and feel His power and soak up His grace. "God weeps with us so that we may one day laugh with Him." - Jurgen Moltmann
And no matter what you face, know that the One who suffered greatly (Jesus) . . . . . . know that the One who bled for you and me . . . the one who died a horrible and painful death on the cross Loves you and not only that . . . but . . . know that the One who endured the same pain and the same grief in his everyday life . . . . . . He understands your pain. Know that Jesus is with you . . . in the midst of your suffering and brokenness and frustration . . . He is walking beside you. |
