Alone in a Crowd

 

Day 7) Matthew 27:46-49- “Leave him alone and let us see if God can rescue him.” 

Jesus said, “Eloi, Eloi, Lama sabachthani- which means “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?”  One of them ran to get a sponge.  He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.  But the rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 

 Thoughts: One of the tough things about being alone is the crowd nearby.  What are they saying?  Have they heard you are sick and are they blaming you?  Are they being torturous?  The crowds who came to see Jesus be crucified were there to be entertained by torture.  There are mean people out there, and being quarantined you may hear their voices that lead even into more sadness.  Jesus did not react to the crow around him.  He didn’t argue with them. He didn’t say (though I think he would be justified to say) in this instance- “Don’t you understand Aramaic?  I am not asking for Elijah but for God.”  In the end, they were hoping maybe Elijah would show up and rescue him and they could say that they were there and saw the spectacle.  Instead they were the unsuspecting witnesses to one of the greatest events in the world, the death of the Son of God.  We should practice Jesus’ example of silence toward those who like to rub in the pain of someone else.  But also in our aloneness- we are waiting on a rescue.  The ultimate promise of God is that He will rescue us.  Sometimes it is in this life.  For all who believe the best, greatest, and most permanent rescue is when He takes us to Himself and there are no more tears, sickness, pain, loneliness, and death anymore.
     The best leaders do not always take a poll of what the people think.  Yet, it is important to have some idea.  But again, the best leaders, after weighing all the facts do what is right before God- even if there are political consequences. 
    You can have a crowd of people around you and be alone.  We are not here to worry about what others think of us.  We only have to please One- and that is our Maker.  Other people will gossip- expect that.  Other people will misunderstand- expect that.  Other people will misinterpret the scene- expect that too.  Some will be downright mean.  Our call is always to live like Jesus- and that includes turning the other cheek.  

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to not let the snearing crowd get to my soul. 

Jesus One on One

There are so many passages in the New Testament that point out that Jesus was in a crowd, yet he spoke to so many one on one.  In our time of isolation- we too can look for ways to be alone with someone else.

Here are some examples:
Mt. 15 The Canaanite woman- she said to him, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs from the table."
Mt. 17- A man prays for healing for his son's seizures "Lord have mercy on my son"
             "What do you think Simon [about the Temple tax]
The rich young man; the Pharisee who complained about the woman washing Jesus' feet; To Mary and Martha; to the woman who hemorrhaged [".  Who touched me?"]'  To Judas- "What you are about to do, do it quickly." Even one on one with the chief priest, Herod, and Pilate at His trial.  These are only a few.  Jesus managed to be alone and focused in a crowd to someone one on one.  It is a gift to listen and focus on others as Jesus was able to do.  He was always open to chance encounters.  Of course Jesus spent a lot of one on one time with Peter and the 12.
      Last week Kay and I were walking our dog and a deputy who lives in our neighborhood waived at us, and we waived back.  Then he circled the block and we introduced ourselves.  He asked if I was a preacher.  Then he asked me to pray for him.  That will be one of my treasured memories from this corona-virus time.  We prayed in the middle of the street (6 feet apart) for his protection and that God would surround him with his angels.
      One day I was in Publix. I had misplaced my mask so I had to go in maskless.  I never felt quite so exposed- everyone had a mask but me and the young workers.  I saw a church member in the toilet paper aisle.  I had found one pack misplaced on a top shelf.  He said he was looking for some TP.  I pointed him to the last remaining misplaced pack.  That is a good memory!
     But perhaps the best memories is spending extra time with the One God gave me 40 years ago- my wife.
      I have really missed seeing people one on one.  I have missed visiting visitors, and looking people in the eye, and being able to hold hands and pray together.  But I believe, if we are looking, we will be able to see opportunities that God puts in our path to make a difference for Him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to find a way to be one on one with others even in this time of separation.