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[This article is part of a series considering the humility of Christ.]

One of my favorite movies is “What About Bob?”  A relatively well-known psychiatrist works hard all year, looking forward to his one-month vacation with his family, only to have it spoiled when his newest and most troubled patient (“Bob Wiley”) finds out where he is staying (Lake Winnipisaukee, New Hampshire).  Bob shows up in Lake Winnipesaukee to find he is not welcome.  However, Bob also finds it nearly impossible to take a hint, so he stays.  In a matter of a couple of days, the psychiatrist is so irritated by the incessant interruption of his plans by this extremely needy patient that he himself is driven insane!

We also tend to be married to our plans.  Especially when we’re tired.  At the end of a long day, at the end of a difficult week, or a particularly rough year, if we have some “me time” scheduled, we may guard those plans jealously, and grow quite frustrated if they are spoiled in some way. 


Not Jesus.  One of the grandest and perhaps most startling manifestations of His humility is His ever-present, whole-hearted welcome of those who needed Him even when He was tired, hungry, and thirsty. 

 


A striking display of His welcoming heart is found in Luke 9.  The chapter opens with Jesus equipping the twelve with His own power and authority and sending them on short missionary journeys to preach the kingdom and to heal (9:1-6).  On their return, their natural desire was to share with Jesus all that they had done in His name(9:10).  The parallel passage in Mark 6:31 shows Jesus inviting the disciples to come away with Him to a private place to rest awhile, and no doubt, to share about their various experiences preaching and healing.


In other words, it was time for a short vacation.  A break.  The disciples were tired.  Jesus was tired.  They had all been ministering non-stop for days.  Mark tells us they had been so busy serving, they didn’t even have time to eat.  What a welcome respite this short getaway to Bethsaida was going to be (Luke 9:10).


But the crowds found out where Jesus and the disciples were going, and they followed them there (Luke 9:11).  The disciples must have thought, “Oh, no…,” not only because they had been spotted, but also because by this time they knew how Jesus would respond…


When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. (Luke 9:11)


He welcomed them.  Whereas, the typical human being may have thought, “Oh, no…here they come,” Jesus’ heart, with genuine affection, said, “Oh, good…good…welcome!”  


This scene in Luke 9 is the beginning of what we call “the feeding of the five thousand.”  Jesus welcomed this crowd, not into a quick meet-and-greet before continuing on His way with the disciples to their vacation getaway.  No, His plans were scrapped completely.  He welcomed them to hours of service, culminating in what must have been hours more serving them a meal.  It took all day (Luke 9:12).  


Did Jesus not need rest?  Clearly He did.  We find Him at times being so overcome by fatigue that He slept like a log in the midst of a violent storm at sea (Mark 4:37-38).  However, Jesus had a very clear understanding of His reason for being here: the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45).  This was not a drudgery to Him but a delight because He loved the Father (John 4:34).

The scene is emblematic of the entire incarnation.  The Son was content in the eternal blissful fellowship of the Trinity, and certainly entitled to stay there.  Yet, there were masses who could not help themselves.  And the Father loves us.  And the Son loves us.  So at the Father’s direction, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant (Phil 2:5-8).  He welcomed us to Himself by taking human flesh.  To say He inconvenienced Himself is an understatement of the absurdest proportions.  He laid aside His rest, and He welcomed us, our sin, our need, our sea of shame and guilt so that He could become our rest.  That He never complained or laid a guilt trip on anyone should make us all the more sure of His welcoming heart and smile in our need.


There are numerous ways to apply this.  An obvious one is to pray that we would have His heart when our plans are interrupted by the needs of others.  A less obvious, but just as needful application would be to think rightly of Jesus.  How many of us feel as if our needs—including and especially our besetting sin struggles—are an exasperation to Him?  Perish the thought!


When we come to Jesus after committing that same old sin…

When we finally open the Word or utter a pray after weeks of no meaningful time with Him…

When every thought in our minds is self-condemnation…

When we come back to Him with the same need for the hundredth, the thousandth time…


He says, “Oh, good…good…welcome!”  

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