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.