I’ve been making my way through the Gospels over the past few weeks, on the hunt to discover more about Jesus; who he really was, what he really did, what his personality was really like.
How did he act in his humanness? Did he make jokes, did he laugh? Was he sarcastic, was he sassy? Where did he spend his time, and what did he do with his friends? Sometimes we get stuck on the divinity of Jesus and forget about the humanity, don’t we? We forget that Jesus was our glimpse at what God intended for humanity to be from the very beginning; Jesus was humanity in it’s fullness.
I have such a strong desire to know all the things about Jesus.
Really know him for myself.
That’s how it’s supposed to be with someone you love, right? You want to know everything about them, you want to uncover the many pieces of their personality and their story—leaving no stone unturned, no chapter unread. But, when you love someone you want more than just second hand information from their friends about who they are. You want to discover who they are for yourself; get to know their quirks, their humor, what angers them, what brings them joy, what they value, where they’re headed. As I’m overturning stones and flipping pages in pursuit of Jesus, my love for him is growing and my confidence in who he was, who he is, and who he always will be is solidifying.
A few weeks ago I was curled up on a corner of the couch in our Ugandan living room, reading in the book of Luke, and one particular day in Jesus’ life has been playing over in my mind since.
Here’s the story I’m stuck on:
“And Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God. But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the deomon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.” -Luke 4:31-41
The more I read this the more I love Jesus, and here’s why:
1. Jesus Makes Time
All of this—teaching in the synagogue, casting out demons, healing Simon’s mother-in-law and “any who were sick,” from who knows how far away—all of this happened in one day. From morning until, “the sun was setting.” As an introvert, I feel overwhelmed just thinking about it. From what I gather the only thing on Jesus’ agenda for this Sabbath day was teaching in the synagogue. Everything else—the man whose body was being taken over by demons and needed freedom, his friend’s mother-in-law who was suffering from a fever, the crowds of people who showed up desperate to be healed—all of that was unscheduled. You could say all of that was an “interruption” to this day in Jesus’ life.
In verse 40, we see the sun was setting, it was getting late and it was probably close to dinner time. Did Jesus even have time to eat lunch that day? He had to be tired, too; I mean I’ve never cast out demons before, but it sounds like something that might need a lot of “umph.” I have a hard time mustering up “umph” without some sustenance. And how much walking did Jesus do this day? We don’t know for sure, but I’m going to guess he got his steps in, and then some.
It didn’t matter what Jesus had planned for the day, when people came to him he made time for them. As I’m reading the different accounts of Jesus’ life, I continuously see him start off for one place only to be diverted from his original course by the needs of the people around him. People repeatedly sought him out seeking some form of restoration; whether it was physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Jesus always stops, he always listens, and he always offers restoration. Jesus doesn’t see our interruptions as inconveniences, but rather, a chance to meet us and love us right where we need him most.
2. Jesus Chooses Hard Compassion
When I read this passage I see Jesus loving at a time when I would be running on empty. I see Jesus pouring out after he’s already filled so many glasses to the brim. When I read,
“all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them,”
I’m struck by the absolute heart of Jesus. He could have easily prayed one big ‘ole blanket prayer covering everyone who came to see him. “Thank you so much for coming everyone, I pronounce you all healed, Amen.” Jesus had the power to do that—if I was in his sandals that’s probably the route I’d be inclined to take, because hangry is a very real word in my vocabulary and it was time for dinner.
But this is Jesus, and Jesus chooses compassion when it’s hard to give. Jesus chooses compassion when he’s tired. Jesus chooses compassion when he has some place to be and his stomach is empty. Jesus chooses compassion when we come running up to him interrupting him with the urgency of our own needs.
Time and again as I’m moving through the Gospels I see Jesus meet people with that “agape” love—the love that’s self-sacrificing. The love that puts the needs of others above his own—very human—needs.
3. When Given a Choice, Jesus Chooses Personal Over Impersonal
Not only does Jesus choose to heal every single person who comes asking for healing, but he lays his hands on every one of them.
A few years ago I got to meet Bob Goff, the author of an incredible book called Love Does. I stood in line with hundreds of other people waiting for my few seconds with him. As the distance between me and Bob became smaller and smaller I started rehearsing what I was going to say to him. I was thinking about leading with, “WOW I LOVE YOUR WRITING AND YOUR LIFE AND YOU, AND DOES YOUR SON NEED A WIFE BECAUSE I AM AVAILABLE.”
But when I finally stood face to face with Bob, I think I blacked out a little bit because all I remember is the way he placed his hands on both of my shoulders, looked me straight in the eyes and talked to me like I might have been his daughter. I don’t remember the exact words we exchanged—probably for the best on my part—but I remember walking away feeling very loved by a man who 60 seconds prior I would have labeled stranger (read secret crush), but now count as a friend.
The way Bob attended to me, listened to me, and showed me love in that moment is how I picture Jesus showing love to the mothers, fathers, children, grandmothers and grandfathers, who came to him to find restoration on this Sabbath day. I see him placing a comforting hand on their shoulder, asking them what they need, and healing not only their bodies but their souls with the greatest love that has ever tread upon this earth.
I see Jesus choosing personal over impersonal, and making time to lavish us with compassion like we’ve never known, because our interruptions are always welcome with Jesus.
