“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself . . .” Matthew 14: 13a
In Matthew 14: 1-12 we have the death of John the Baptist described. After Jesus heard this, he was sad and had to get away. Even though he was the Son of God, this event greatly grieved him, and he had to be alone so that he could mourn the death of someone he loved very much.
We may have times in our lives when we have to be alone to think about, grieve, or contemplate something that has happen to us. Like Jesus we want to remove ourselves from the noise and strain of the world around us. However, notice what occurred in the verses that follow this one, Jesus was moved by the crowds and went to them and ministered to them. Thus, at some point after our periods of grief and reflection, and we are the only ones who know when that time is, we ought to think about getting active again in the community that we live in.
I experienced something like this, after my late wife, Judy, died after a long struggle with cancer. We had been married for more than twenty-eight years when she passed away in January, the middle of winter when the days are short. My time of grieving for her was when there was not much day light, and I remember sitting in my living room alone after work, with it being dark outside, it really was a very trying and painful period for me.
I was alone a great deal in the evenings, for I needed to grieve and process what had happened. Of course, she was missed, and I did not know how my life would unfold. It took a lot of prayer, energy, patience, and support to make it each day. Spring did come, and I began to feel somewhat better. Looking back that time away from doing a lot of extra activity was important for my healing, and for my moving on.
On your spiritual pilgrimage you may have the occasion when you need to get away to pray, grieve, or reflect on events in your life. If that is needed, please do so, remember Jesus did the same thing. However, realize that just as Jesus did, at some point we may need to get back into our surroundings in order to do the ministry that we have been called to do, and to continue with our healing! May you feel God’s hands of love holding you no matter what you may be going through at the moment, Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2026 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
In Matthew 14: 1-12 we have the death of John the Baptist described. After Jesus heard this, he was sad and had to get away. Even though he was the Son of God, this event greatly grieved him, and he had to be alone so that he could mourn the death of someone he loved very much.
We may have times in our lives when we have to be alone to think about, grieve, or contemplate something that has happen to us. Like Jesus we want to remove ourselves from the noise and strain of the world around us. However, notice what occurred in the verses that follow this one, Jesus was moved by the crowds and went to them and ministered to them. Thus, at some point after our periods of grief and reflection, and we are the only ones who know when that time is, we ought to think about getting active again in the community that we live in.
I experienced something like this, after my late wife, Judy, died after a long struggle with cancer. We had been married for more than twenty-eight years when she passed away in January, the middle of winter when the days are short. My time of grieving for her was when there was not much day light, and I remember sitting in my living room alone after work, with it being dark outside, it really was a very trying and painful period for me.
I was alone a great deal in the evenings, for I needed to grieve and process what had happened. Of course, she was missed, and I did not know how my life would unfold. It took a lot of prayer, energy, patience, and support to make it each day. Spring did come, and I began to feel somewhat better. Looking back that time away from doing a lot of extra activity was important for my healing, and for my moving on.
On your spiritual pilgrimage you may have the occasion when you need to get away to pray, grieve, or reflect on events in your life. If that is needed, please do so, remember Jesus did the same thing. However, realize that just as Jesus did, at some point we may need to get back into our surroundings in order to do the ministry that we have been called to do, and to continue with our healing! May you feel God’s hands of love holding you no matter what you may be going through at the moment, Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2026 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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