The man of compassion
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Loosely based on Matthew 14:13–14
On the boat, the main thing on his mind was his cousin. He’d just been murdered by the ruler of the province, and while he wasn’t surprised by it, he was grieved. So he told his followers to come with him on a boat to the other side of the lake.
As the boat gently approached the shore, he saw the multitudes who were waiting for him there. They’d somehow heard he was coming and had gone ahead to wait for him. Yet in spite of the heaviness of his heart, seeing that crowd filled his heart with compassion. And that compassion brought strength to his body, and lightness to his heart.
At that moment his burdens were temporarily forgotten.
Looking into that mass of faces, his heart longed for them. The closer the boat got to the shore, the louder the voices of the people. “Son of David, help us!” “Help us, sir!”
His disciple, Peter got down first and steadied the boat, then he got down with his other disciples following.
“Master, heal me,” said the lame man, reaching out his hand, and Jesus touched his head restoring him, moving further he saw an old woman he’d met before, “how are you, auntie?” he said, smiling warmly at her, “oh, I’m fine,” she said, “I just wanted to see you.” And he laughed. “Well, I’m doing fine, thank you,” he said, laying his hands on her and blessing her.
“Lord, my daughter,” said a woman who was carrying a child no more than six, or seven who couldn’t walk. And he took her from her mother and held her in his arms. “And what is your name, little one?” he said smiling down at her. “My name is Miriam,”
“Well, that’s a lovely name, Miriam, now let’s fix you up.”
He said, as he healed her and placed her on her feet, and she walked for the first time in years. And her mother flung herself at his feet thanking him, smiling at them he walked through the crowd healing everyone who was sick.
When he was done, it was evening and there was not a person who was left sick, or disabled.
