“When Jesus got the news, He slipped away by boat to an out-of-the way place by Himself.” (Matthew 14:13 MSG)
When Jesus heard of John’s death He had to get away to grieve. John was more than a cousin, he was His forerunner. He was the one who paved the way for the Messiah and he had laid down his life in that task; a strong indicator of the kind of death that Jesus would face in His very near future. Jesus immediately felt the need to get away in a boat by Himself. He runs to His Father.
We read this and realize that even Kingdom people grieve.
Jesus had a more solid understanding of heaven than anyone else on earth, yet He still felt deep sorrow over John’s untimely passing. His heart and His mind were full of God’s good plan, but the death of His cousin still hurt. Jesus knew that light would ultimately overcome darkness and chase it away forever, and still, He grieved. He post-processed. He likely spoke with His Father about the unfair nature of death.
But then He got back up and let loss push Him toward purpose.
His cousin’s beheading had to be a harbinger of His own impending crucifixion, but instead of hiding in the out-of-the-way place, He received broken people with fresh compassion. He even offered them communion: a shared meal and a shared faith in the plan still unfurling.
“He took the five loaves and the two fish, lifted His face toward heaven in payer, broke and gave the bread to His disciples.” (Matthew 14:19 MSG)
Jesus allowed grief to push Him toward purpose. In the face of deep sorrow, He set His gaze heavenward and set about His central objective.
What powerful instructions for us in the wake of disappointment! Jesus didn’t ignore the turmoil in His own soul when He received the news about His cousin. He got alone with the Father to face the pain head on and then He allowed loss to strengthen His resolve for Kingdom agenda.
Maybe grief is wasted if it doesn’t move us toward Kingdom agenda?
What about us? What do we do with loss? With disappointment? Do we sit down or sit out? Do we take it to the Father for further examination? Do we allow it to push us toward or away from our Kingdom purpose?
Lord, today we bring our losses to You. You know firsthand how they hurt. You’ve experienced the disappointment of being human. But You have also known the complete joy and total transformation of heaven. Whisper that into our long faces here and now. Help us see and feel the hope of forever. Further forge our resolve toward Your Kingdom purpose in the midst of life’s pain. Amen.