CROWDED OUT

by Pastor Karen Troxler

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

When Dave and I lived in MA, one of our favorite activities was to go to a Red Sox game. We would drive the 25 miles from our home in Duxbury to Quincy, where we would travel into Boston on the T, taking the Red Line to the Green Line. From there, it was a walk of several blocks to Fenway Park. Depending on the timing, we could usually find a seat on the inbound trip; however, once we changed trains at Park Street, it was less likely. When the game was over and we were heading out, it was standing room only. While it appeared to me that there was no more room, people still managed to squeeze on at each stop. It wasn’t unusual for us to have to stand the entire trip back to Quincy, holding on tightly as the train swayed back and forth at a high rate of speed.
To be honest, in general, I don’t like to be in crowds, however, crowds and discomfort could not be avoided if I wanted to attend a game. In fact, enduring crowded conditions are very often necessary in order to take part in fun activities—Hershey Park, concerts, beaches, etc. As things open up following this pandemic, I expect to see even larger crowds since people have been confined for several months.

Confession time—sometimes when I am in a large crowd, I find myself wishing that all these other people weren’t there so that I could enjoy what I want to enjoy without having to stand up, wait in line, or whatever. In other words, I prefer not to be inconvenienced! Then the Holy Spirit reminds me that is a selfish thought, as others have as much right as I do to engage in and enjoy that particular activity.

Unlike me, Jesus was anything but selfish! It’s hard to believe that there were as large of crowds in Jesus’ day as in ours; yet we know there were, because the Bible tells us about the feeding of the 5000 and 4000, plus women and children. In our passage today and many others throughout the gospels, we read about crowds of people following Jesus from place to place. In each situation, even when he was unable to get the rest that he needed and sought, Jesus always had compassion on the crowds and saw them as individual people, not as an inconvenience. He expressed his love and concern through his acts of care, whether it was teaching, healing, or feeding them. Jesus met whatever their greatest need was, because he saw that they were “troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus went on to say that the harvest is great, but there are few workers. Ready for harvest means that people are ready to hear about God’s love for them and their need for him!

The next time that you (and I) are in or see a group of people, whether small or large, let’s try to see them as individual people through the eyes of Jesus. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us to see that they are people who are searching, wandering, without someone to care for them and guide them. Whether an opportunity presents itself for us to take a concrete action to help or reach out in some specific way, there is one thing that we can all do. We can pray for them. Only God knows what their greatest need is, and we can pray for that need to be met. Perhaps, God will open up a way for us to be a part of the answer; or perhaps we can be a part of “bringing in the harvest” in response to someone else’s prayer.

Dear God, help us to see and love all people as you do. Help us to have compassion and not see them as an inconvenience. Show us how we can be a part of loving people into your kingdom. Amen.

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