The Response of the Disciples
Matthew 15:23: "And his disciples came to Jesus and begged him saying, 'Send her away, for she is crying out after us.'"
Despite the fact that the disciples had been in the School of Jesus, they still had much to learn! Where the disciples became annoyed, Jesus became encouraged. Jesus saw into the hearts of people. Their desperation did not surprise him or annoy him. Jesus knew the needs of people, and he welcomed their needs. He welcomed their desperate cries and their pursuit of him. That is exactly who Jesus was looking for - those who would whole-heartedly follow him. Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them. Over and over again, we see the patient heart of the Father through Jesus.
How do you pursue the Father? Are you willing to get desperate? Are you willing to continue praying, crying out for help, and following him even when it feels like you are not heard or seen? The cries of the blind men were not immediately addressed, and this Canaanite woman had to overcome obstacles to get the healing for her daughter. And yet the blind men were seen and heard, and the Canaanite woman's faith was commended. The Lord hears you, the Lord sees you, and the Lord is full of compassion for you. Keep pursuing him with faith!
How do you view people in need? Do you get frustrated with their constant demands? Are you easily annoyed or angered? Do you only see the outside and not what is inside the person? Jesus would love to change your perspective, to give you his perspective on his people. He wants you to see them with his compassion and his love. Just as the Lord hears your cries, so he hears their cries. Who knows? He may be calling you to be his hands, his feet, and his mouth to minister to them.
Embolden us, Lord, to whole-heartedly pursue you with our deepest needs. Fill us with your compassion and love for your people that we may faithfully minister to them through the power of your Holy Spirit.
Despite the fact that the disciples had been in the School of Jesus, they still had much to learn! Where the disciples became annoyed, Jesus became encouraged. Jesus saw into the hearts of people. Their desperation did not surprise him or annoy him. Jesus knew the needs of people, and he welcomed their needs. He welcomed their desperate cries and their pursuit of him. That is exactly who Jesus was looking for - those who would whole-heartedly follow him. Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them. Over and over again, we see the patient heart of the Father through Jesus.
How do you pursue the Father? Are you willing to get desperate? Are you willing to continue praying, crying out for help, and following him even when it feels like you are not heard or seen? The cries of the blind men were not immediately addressed, and this Canaanite woman had to overcome obstacles to get the healing for her daughter. And yet the blind men were seen and heard, and the Canaanite woman's faith was commended. The Lord hears you, the Lord sees you, and the Lord is full of compassion for you. Keep pursuing him with faith!
How do you view people in need? Do you get frustrated with their constant demands? Are you easily annoyed or angered? Do you only see the outside and not what is inside the person? Jesus would love to change your perspective, to give you his perspective on his people. He wants you to see them with his compassion and his love. Just as the Lord hears your cries, so he hears their cries. Who knows? He may be calling you to be his hands, his feet, and his mouth to minister to them.
Embolden us, Lord, to whole-heartedly pursue you with our deepest needs. Fill us with your compassion and love for your people that we may faithfully minister to them through the power of your Holy Spirit.
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