“As soon as he heard the news….” – Matt. 13:14 NLT
I was sober for a number of years and had been through a lot of ups and downs during that time. But nothing would prepare me for what I would be forced to do on the afternoon of June 28th of last year.
As I sat in a chair in the vet’s office cradling Duke in my arms (my beloved Yorkshire Terrier), all I could think about was the very first day we brought him home 14 years earlier. Fighting back the tears, I gently rubbed behind his ears and softly said to him, “It seemed just like yesterday that we first met, buddy. You remember that day? You were nervous and shaking then, too! You were in a strange place around a bunch of weird people. But man… bringing you home that day was the best thing that ever happened to me. You know that? It really was! And I only hope that you feel the same way too, champ.”
Over the next couple of minutes, I watched his eyes begin to grow heavy as the sedation started kicking in. He looked up at me one last time, and those beautiful black eyes quietly spoke to me…. “I don’t know what comes next, but I know that I’ll miss you too. Thank you for being my best friend.”
Not a day has passed since that I still don’t think of him. Sometimes it’s several times each day. I’ve yet to change the pic of him sitting in my lap on my iPhone home screen. I still listen for him to hop down from the couch when I begin loading the dishwasher in the evenings. The second he would hear that dishwasher door open, he would immediately come over to lick the plates and spoons. It was like clockwork, a natural reflex.
I still have days like today when I think about him. And it still hurts. But I’ve learned to channel that grief into love for his big brother Simba, our beloved GoldenDoodle. He’s become the benefactor of Duke’s love.
When Jesus heard that his dear friend John (the Baptist) had died, he grieved, too. He found a few moments to be alone to reflect and think about John. But he also realized that there was still much work left to be done. Matthew tells us in chapter 14:
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
Shortly after having experienced one of the saddest moments in his earthly ministry, Jesus turned his enormous grief into enormous compassion. He saw the crowds that had followed him, well over 5000 in number. Some were sick and desperate to be healed. All were tired and hungry.
Jesus could’ve very easily told his disciples, “explain to them what has happened. I’ve had a death in the family, and I need to be alone for a while.” With just one word, the disciples could have sent them on their way and I’m sure they all would’ve understood. But that’s not what happened. Even in his grief, Jesus didn’t stop being Jesus. On the heels of one of the worst days of his human life, Jesus compassionately performed one of his greatest miracles.
John’s death didn’t paralyze Jesus. Quite the opposite actually. It stirred him to love and minister even more.
What an example that is for us, too.
Former Blackout Artist 